Amend 1.pdf

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing items 8 and 15, and returning or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUISITION NUMBER 5. PROJECT NUMBER (If applicable)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6) CODE

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 11/2016)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

FACILITY CODE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended. is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NUMBER

IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation data, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15C. DATE SIGNED

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

16C. DATE SIGNED

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

PAGE OF PAGES

6. ISSUED BY CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (X)

CODE

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

Previous edition unusable

The purpose of Amendment 1 is to remove incorrect clauses FAR 52.215-20, FAR 52.222-41, and FAR 52.227-14, respond to vendor questions, and update the General Information in SAM.gov.

1 14

91990024R00010001 SEP 28, 2023

CAMLBJ

US Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue SW, LBJ-2C274 Washington DC 20202

See Block 6

91990024R0001

SEP 18, 2023

See Schedule

Table of Contents

SECTION C DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

C.1 Vendor Responses

SECTION I CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1 52.212-5CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS--

COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (SEP 2023)

PAGE 2 OF 14 91990024R00010001

SECTION C

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

C.1 Vendor Responses

PAGE 3 OF 14 91990024R00010001

Question

Task Order/

IDIQ question

RFP

page numbe r

RFP Clarification Questions Responses

1 IDIQ p. 9 Could ED clarify whether the IDIQ will focus just on Title IV, Part A or on Title IV more broadly?

The documentation for this requirement defines the

Government's need as assistance with evaluations of programs and strategies designed to provide all students with access to a well‐rounded and enriching education in safe, healthy, and supportive environments, including schools, community learning centers, and other contexts. The purpose of the IDIQ is to integrate future evaluations in this topic area and help them build on one another. While Title IV of the 2015 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education

Act (ESEA) is a key federal policy informing the topic area at present, the IDIQ is not intended to be exclusive to the legislation or its programs. That being said, future task orders under the IDIQ are most likely to align with Title IV, Parts A, B, E, and F, and unlikely to focus on Title IV, Parts C and D.

2 Task order p. 40

Task 9.13 of the Task Order notes that "the contractor shall collect all publicly available grantee application/award materials…" and points to an ED website. Grant abstracts are available on that website, but not grantees' full applications or logic models. Will more information from the grantees' applications be made publicly available, and if so, what information?

Beyond the abstracts, more information from grantees' applications is not publicly available at this time. But, the offeror who is sucessfully awarded the contract for Task Order

0001 will have access to grantees' full application materials.

3 Task order p. 119 Could IES confirm that the snapshot appendix is excluded from the 40‐page limit for the technical proposal?

The requested appendix of the report planning template is excluded from the page count. The limit of 40 pages does not include any of the offeror's appendices. Appendixed materials include the offeror's completed report planning template and letters of commitment and résumés for key project staff.

4 Task Order p. 123 Can ED confirm the anticipated contract type for the task order, and for individual tasks if hybrid?

The task order is anticipated to be Cost‐Plus‐Fixed‐Fee (CPFF).

Task order/IDIQ

p. 122

On p. 122, the RFP states, “To support the review of past performance, offerors shall submit identifying information such as the title, contract number, award date, end date, and client contact information for all projects cited in Part

1 and Part 2 as relevant corporate and staff experience, with the first three listed being the most relevant.” Could this information be included in an appendix and excluded from the page limit? Otherwise, offerors that have many relevant projects will be penalized, with less space to devote to other aspects of the proposal than offerors with few relevant projects

The identifying information (title, contract number, award date, end date, and client contact information) may be included in a table in the appendix. However, offerors are to be reminded that this appendix should not be used to provide details on how previous contracts are substantively relevant to the current IDIQ/Task Order. That relevance needs to be established in and integrated into the main body of the proposal. Specific relevant staff experience can also be further elaborated in the resumes, but should not exclusively be relegated to the resumes.

6 Task order/IDIQp. 125 Can ED confirm if a small business subcontracting plan is required for both the IDIQ and the task order?

A subcontracting plan is required for both the IDIQ and the

Task Order. For the IDIQ, key subcontracting personnel must be identified, along with their rates and the roles they will play. Anticipated goal percentages for subcontractors should be estimated in lieu of actual dollar amounts, which are TBD.

Estimated goal percentages must be justified, reasonable, and realistic based on the specified roles for the subcontractors.

PAGE 4 OF 14 91990024R00010001

Instruc tions to

Offeror s

Technic al

Propos al

Format and

Conten ts, p.

Per 13 CFR § 121.411 (b), “prime contractors (or subcontractors) may accept paper self‐certifications as to size and socioeconomic status or a subcontractor's electronic self‐certification as to size or socioeconomic status, if the solicitation for the subcontract contains a clause which provides that the subcontractor verifies by submission of the offer that the size or socioeconomic representations and certifications are accurate and complete. Electronic submission may include any method acceptable to the prime contractor (or subcontractor) including, but not limited to, size representations and certifications made in SAM (or any successor system) and electronic conveyance of subcontractor certifications in prime contractor systems in connection with an offer for a subcontract. Prime contractors or subcontractors may not require the use of SAM (or any successor system) for purposes of representing size or socioeconomic status in connection with a subcontract.” Can you provide confirmation that small businesses can self‐certify their size status and socio‐economic classification in order to be considered a small business under the small business subcontracting plan of this procurement, in accordance with the procedures outlined at 13 CFR § 121.411 (b)?

Yes, small businesses can self‐certify. However, the

Department of Education would prefer small business are registered and certified in SAM.

Instruc tions to

Offeror s, p.

Will the Department be reviewing CPARs or past performance questionnaires for all projects listed in the past performance section or will the Department be reviewing CPARs or past performance for only the first three projects listed (the most relevant)?

The Department reserves the right to review any or all CPARS for any project that the offeror has been involved in, whether or not the project is listed in the top three or at all.

Instruc tions to

Offeror s

Busines s

Propos al

(page

122 of

134)

In Volume II: Business Proposal, the Government indicates wanting unburdened labor rates, which implies a Cost‐Plus

Fixed Fee contract type. Please confirm the task order is

CPFF. If FFP or T&M, please confirm if Offerors should only show their proposed fully loaded labor rates. Considering inflation and the competitive labor market, please confirm if Offerors may document that the IDIQ Key Personnel unburdened hourly rates will not be ceilings and that offerors will be allowed to price CPFF task orders using current salaries.

The task order is anticipated to be Cost‐Plus‐Fixed‐Fee (CPFF).

Future task orders under the IDIQ may be priced using current salaries.

Instruc tions to

Offeror s (page

121 of

134)

In Volume II: Business Proposal, the Government indicates offerors should provide the table for Proposed IDIQ Key

Personnel, including Fully Loaded Hourly Rates as well as the Fixed Price/T&M Profit/Fee. Showing Profit/Fee for the

Fully Loaded Labor rates on Key IDIQ Personnel is challenging using existing approved labor rates since these rates are pooled across many personnel, cost pools, etc.

For ease of review, please confirm if Offerors should leave the "Proposed Fixed Price/T&M Profit/Fee" column blank or should Offerors propose a custom labor rate to show the anticipated profit/fee for these key IDIQ personnel.

Offerors should propose unburdened labor rates for proposed

IDIQ Key Personnel, along with proposed fixed fee for task orders under the assumption of a CPFF contract type.

Instruc tions to

Offeror s, p.

Regarding Technical Proposal Format and Contents ‐‐

Should Volume I include separate cover sheets and tables of contents for both Part 1 (IDIQ) and Part 2 (TO 0001)? Or should a single table of contents list all Part 1 and Part 2 sections?

A single table of contents should list all Part 1 and Part 2 sections.

Instruc tions to

Offeror s, p.

The Department states that “Offerors must number consecutively all pages, including appendices.” Please confirm that the Department is requiring that both of the

Volume I parts and all appendices to be numbered in the same sequence (e.g., page 1 through page 100+) or does the Department require each part and appendix to be numbered separately.

Both Volume 1 parts should be numbered in the same sequence. The appendices may be numbered in the same sequence or in a separate sequence.

PAGE 5 OF 14 91990024R00010001

Section

I.82.(c)(

1) p. 77

The Department has checked FAR 52.222‐41 Service

Contract Labor Standards. Can the Department please confirm whether this clause is applicable to the solicitation? If applicable, please confirm whether the

Offeror should propose wage determinations as part of its proposal?

This clause has been removed as wage determinations are not applicable.

Section

L.7 p.

The Department has incorporated 52.215‐20

“REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFIED COST OR PRICING DATA

AND DATA OTHER THAN CERTIFIED COST OR PRICING

DATA in Section L.7 of the solicitation. Given sufficient competition is anticipated for this solicitation, please confirm that Offerors are only required to submit “Other than Certified Cost and Pricing Data” with their response?

Yes, offerors are only required to submit "Other than Certified

Cost and Pricing Data". The clause FAR 52.215‐20 has been removed from the Solicitation in Amendment 1.

Section

L.15 p.

124‐

Can the Department please confirm the formatting expectations for the Business Volume? Is the Business

Volume required to include to the formatting requirements on pages 124‐125 addressing Part 1 and Part

2 within each section of the required format or are separate proposals for Part 1 and Part 2 required within the Business Volume, each following the same format outlined on pages 124‐125?

Some elements on pp. 124‐125 such as the abstract and cost accounting, estimating, and purchasing system information can apply to both Part 1 and Part 2 of the Business Volume. Other parts such as the subcontracting plan for small businesses require one version that applies to the content of Part 1 and another version that applies to the content of Part 2. Offerors should use their best judgment to determine the most efficient way to present sufficiently complete information for the

Government to consider, consistent with the RFP requirements.

16 TO 0001

PWS,

pg. 33

General: The PWS states that Task Order 0001 will have a

30‐month period of performance. Please confirm the period of performance will be 12/15/23 – 6/14/26.

The actual period of performance will depend on the contract award date. For proposal preparation purposes, offerors may assume a period of performance for Task Order 0001 from

12/15/23 to 6/15/26.

Technical

Proposal

Format and

Contents

pg. 120 General: Please confirm that a cover letter and references cited are not counted towards the page limit.

The cover letter and list of references cited do not count towards the page limit.

18 TO 0001

PWS,

Pg. 41‐

Can you indicate how many weeks we should assume the

COR’s review of deliverables will take?

Two weeks may be assumed for a COR to review a deliverable and provide comments, if the timeline is not specific in the

Statement of Work.

19 TO 0001 PWS, Pg

Please confirm that the analysis and reporting of the interim surveys (subtask 9.1) will not be included Task

Order 0001?

This response assumes that the question meant to refer to subtask 9.2 of Task Order 0001, "Administer interim surveys."

The Task Order includes the work of designing a survey instrument (subtask 3.6) and administering the survey (subtask

9.2), but does not include any analysis of survey data or reporting of the results.

20 TO 0001 PWS, Pg

Please provide details about what should be included in the memo documenting the completion of extant grantee data collection (subtask 9.13)?

The memo is a deliverable associated with subtask 9.13. The primary work of this subtask is the construction of a dataset describing all grantees of the FY 2022/2023 MHSP and FY 2022

SBMH programs. The successful offeror will be expected to construct or extract variables from states' application documents and other extant materials and join these to publicly available data on grantee characteristics (e.g., the

Common Core of Data or the Civil Rights Data Collection). The dataset will contain baseline measures of key evaluation outcomes and be comprehensive of all grantees. The purpose of the memo deliverable is to document the process of building the dataset. Offerors are encouraged to propose what they think would be most helpful to include in a memo of this type.

21 TO 0001

The PWS references the FY 2022 SBMH grantees and the

FY 2022 and FY 2023 MHSP grantees. Can IES please confirm that these three cohorts of grantees are the totality of grantees that will be included in the evaluation?

Yes, the grantees included in the evaluation are the FY 2022

SBMH, FY 2022 MHSP, and FY 2023 MHSP cohorts of grantees.

A single grantee was newly awarded SBMH funds in FY 2023 and will be included as well.

PAGE 6 OF 14 91990024R00010001

22 TO 0001

Task 9.13 says that the contractor shall collect all publicly available grantee application/award materials. The program websites only include abstracts for the grantees.

The links in task 9.13 to the SBMH and MHSP applications, link only to the application package. Will the Department or IES make the applications of the SBMH and MHSP grantees in the evaluation available to the contractor at the start of the extant data collection period?

Yes, in addition to what is publicly available on grantees, the offeror who is sucessfully awarded the contract for Task Order

0001 will have access to grantees' full application materials.

23 TO 0001

Task 9.13 says that “the contractor shall …. also determine whether grantees’ federal performance reporting data will add value to the database.” Can IES please confirm whether the annual performance reports for all grantees in the evaluation will be publicly available during extant data collection period?

The offeror who is sucessfully awarded the contract for Task

Order 0001 will have access to grantees' annual performance reports.

24 TO 0001

Task 3.5 says identifies two surveys of grantees. However, the title of task 9.2 is “Administer interim surveys of local educational agencies, service providers, and grantees” which suggests surveys to respondent types in addition to the grantees. Will IES please confirm whether the contractor will administer two surveys only to program grantees or if the contractor will administer two surveys to grantees and other respondent types such as service providers and LEAs that are not grantees?

Task Order 0001 specifies surveys of SBMH and MHSP grantees only.

TO 0001,

Attachment 3

The instructions on page 119 note that “the offeror shall include in an appendix a completed report planning template (Attachment 3), drafted for the study snapshot described in Task 10.4 of the Task Order 0001 PWS.” This text suggests that the offeror will complete a single competed template. However, the following text at the end of the same paragraph suggests there may be more than one planning template: “Each report planning template must be no more than 5 single‐spaced pages and shall demonstrate sufficient and transparent plans.” Will

IES please confirm that the offeror is to complete and submit a single report template?

The text at the end of the paragraph cited should read, "The report planning template must be no more than 5 single‐ spaced pages and shall demonstrate a sufficient and transparent plan." The suggestion that offerors will need to provide more than one template is an error.

Volume II:

Business

Proposal

Will IES provide the contract type for task order 001? Page

115 of the solicitation, L.9 52.216‐1 TYPE OF CONTRACT

(APR 1984), says that the Government contemplates award of a Cost‐Plus Fixed Fee contract resulting from this solicitation. On page 80, it states that the Government contemplates award of time and materials contract.

However, the contract type for task order 001 is not specified in the Instructions to Offeror on page 124.

The task order is anticipated to be Cost‐Plus‐Fixed‐Fee (CPFF).

27 Volume I

Given the wide range of content areas included under Title

IV of ESEA, will IES allow offerors to put past performance information for all projects cited in either proposal as relevant corporate and staff experience in an appendix and not be counted against page limits. Specifically, can the offeror put the requested project identifying information

(the title, contract number, award date, end date, and client contact information) into an appendix that does not count against the page limit?

The identifying information (title, contract number, award date, end date, and client contact information) may be included in a table in the appendix. However, offerors are to be reminded that this appendix should not be used to provide details on how previous contracts are substantively relevant to the current IDIQ/Task Order. That relevance needs to be established in and integrated into the main body of the proposal. Specific relevant staff experience can also be further elaborated in the resumes, but should not exclusively be relegated to the resumes.

PAGE 7 OF 14 91990024R00010001

INTRODUCTIO

N (p. 9) and

OBJECTIVES

(p. 11) sections of the

IDIQ PWS

IES suggests that it would be advantageous to have multiple contractors available. However, in the Instructions to Offerors , Supplemental Information section (p. 126), IES seems to say that there will only be one contract awarded: The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. Please clarify whether IES intends to award one or multiple IDIQs, recognizing that only one contractor will win Task Order 001.

A multi‐ or single‐supplier award is possible. The award will be made based on what is most advantageous to the

Government. Each successful offeror is expected to have capabilities to conduct all of the tasks and subtasks outlined in the IDIQ.

Section I:

Contract

Clauses

Pg. 59

The agreement includes the following FAR clauses that seem to conflict with each other. Can you provide insight on how to reconcile the inclusion of both provisions?

I.39 52.227‐14 RIGHTS IN DATA‐‐GENERAL (MAY 2014)

(Reference 52.227‐14)

I.40 52.227‐17 RIGHTS IN DATA‐‐SPECIAL WORKS (DEC

2007) (Reference 52.227‐17)

Only one FAR clause is applicable in this case, and that is I.40

52.227‐17 RIGHTS IN DATA‐‐SPECIAL WORKS (DEC 2007)

(Reference 52.227‐17). FAR 52.227‐14 has been removed from the Solicitation in Amendment 1.

Volume I:

Technical

Proposal, Technical

Proposal

Format and

Contents and

Attachment 3

(related to page limit)

Pg. 120

Do the pages of the completed report planning template

(Attachment 3), to be included in an Appendix, count as part of the 40 page maximum for Task Order 0001?

The instructions on p. 120 do not explicitly exclude the completed report planning template.

The requested appendix of the report planning template is excluded from the page count. The limit of 40 pages does not include any of the offeror's appendices. Appendixed materials include the offeror's completed report planning template and letters of commitment and résumés for key project staff.

Volume II:

Business

Proposal

Pg. 123

Could the government please specify the intended contract type for task order 0001? If the contract type is hybrid, could the government please clarify the type of contract (CPFF, T&M, or FFP) for each of the tasks specified in Task Order 0001?

The task order is anticipated to be Cost‐Plus‐Fixed‐Fee (CPFF).

Volume I:

Technical

Proposal, Small Business

Participation

Pg. 122‐

It's stated that "any small business or consultant not incorporated as a business entity and registered with

SAM.gov does not count towards the small business subcontracting goal". Our consultants typically self‐certify as a small business and we have used this in the past to count towards our goal. Can you please confirm that this will not be possible for this IDIQ?

Please see the answer to question number 7.

33 Pg. 3 Clarify Period of Performance: 12/15/23 ‐ 12/14/28 or

12/15/28

The actual ordering period for the IDIQ will depend on the IDIQ award date. For proposal preparation purposes, offerors may assume an ordering period from 12/15/23 to 12/14/28.

C.2 Task Order

0001 PWS

Pg. 33

Confirm start and end date of Task Order 0001 (30‐month) and confirm award mechanism‐‐ T&M, Fixed Price, Cost plus Fixed Fee

The task order is anticipated to be Cost‐Plus‐Fixed‐Fee (CPFF).

The actual period of performance will depend on the contract award date. For proposal preparation purposes, offerors may assume a period of performance for Task Order 0001 from

12/15/23 to 6/15/26.

Supplemental

Information, section 3:

Pg. 126

The SF1449 requests evidence of teaming/partnering agreements and relationships to identify the responsiblities for each entity under this Task Order. To confirm, evidence of teaming/partnering agreements are only required for teaming/partnering arrangements under the Task Order?

Evidence of teaming/partnering agreements are required for both the IDIQ and the Task Order 0001.

SAM.gov indicates an offers due date of October 19, 2023.

The SF1449 notes a due date of October 25, 2023. Please confirm.

The correct due date is that in the SF1449 of October 25, 2023.

The General Information has been updated.

L.16

Supplemental

Information

Pg. 126

Can the signed SF1449 be submitted as part of the

Business Proposal? Currently, the instructions appear to indicate the SF1449 is submitted separately from the volumes.

Yes, the signed SF1449 can be submitted as a part of the

Business Proposal.

PAGE 8 OF 14 91990024R00010001

L.15

Instruction to

Offerors, Volume I:

Technical

Proposal

Pg. 121

Is the requested appendix of the Report Planning Template

(Attachment 3) part of the page count or excluded from the page count?

The requested appendix of the report planning template is excluded from the page count. The limit of 40 pages does not include any of the offeror's appendices. Appendixed materials include the offeror's completed report planning template and letters of commitment and résumés for key project staff.

C.2 Task Order

0001 PWS

Pg. 38

Sub tasks of Task 3 under the Task Order start with 3.5.

Are there missing sub tasks 3.1 ‐ 3.4, or was this done to show which IDIQ sub tasks were relevant to the Task

Order?

The titles and numbering of the subtasks in the Task Order

0001 Performance Work Statement (PWS) are intended to align with the corresponding subtasks in the IDIQ PWS. Task

Order 0001 does not include subtasks 3.1‐3.4.

C.2 Task Order

0001 PWS

Pg. 39

In the list of tasks for the Task Order, we notice that some of the tasks are missing, in that Tasks skip from Task 3 to 5, then to Task 9, etc. Are we to assume this is done on purpose to keep Task Order tasks aligned with IDIQ tasks and not a mistake?

This is not a mistake. The titles and numbering of the subtasks in the Task Order 0001 Performance Work Statement (PWS) are intended to align with the corresponding subtasks in the

IDIQ PWS.

Volume II

Business

Proposal, Part

Pg. 123

For the proposed rates in the IDIQ, should bidders be providing rate information by role or by specifically named persons? For example, a rate for Senior Researcher, or a rate for Jane Doe?

For the IDIQ part of the proposal, rates and roles are only required for key personnel. All key personnel should be identified by name.

Volume II

Business

Proposal, Part

Pg. 123 For the proposed rates in the IDIQ, should bidders be providing rate information for any non‐Key Personnel?

For the IDIQ part of the proposal, rates and roles are only required for key personnel.

Volume II

Business

Proposal, Part

Pg. 123

For the proposed rates in the IDIQ, should bidders be providing labor categories to align with the rate information?

Yes.

Volume II

Business

Proposal, Part

Pg. 123

For the proposed rates in the IDIQ, should bidders be providing rate information by role or only for named Key

Personnel? For example, a rate for Senior Researcher, or a rate for Jane Doe?

For the IDIQ part of the proposal, rates and roles are only required for key personnel. All key personnel should be identified by name.

Volume II

Business

Proposal, Part

Pg. 123

For the proposed rates in the IDIQ, should bidders be providing a list of rates which reflects all of the roles which would be potentially bid on future task orders? The chart on page 123 only refers to Key Personnel.

For the IDIQ part of the proposal, rates and roles are only required for key personnel.

Volume II

Business

Proposal, Part

Pg. 123

For clarity, could you define “Fully Loaded Hourly Rate” versus “Unburdened Hourly Rate.” These items are not defined.

"Fully Loaded Hourly Rate" means it includes all the direct cost of the applicable service plus indirect charges and overheads reasonably allocable to the provision of such service. The

"Unburdened Hourly Rate" means the hourly rate being paid to an employee.

Volume II

Business

Proposal, Part

Pg. 125

For the Conflict of Interest Plan, the instructions read, “The

Plan shall indicate that such policies and procedures are operative throughout the period of outside activities financial interests, or other significant connections or identifications that would establish, or give the appearance of establishing, a conflict of interest.” However, this sentence seems as though it may have been intended to be two separate ideas: (1) The Plan shall indicate that such policies and procedures are operative throughout the period of performance; and (2) The policies should address financial interests, or other significant connections or identifications that would establish, or give the appearance of establishing, a conflict of interest. Please clarify.

The Conflict of Interest Plan must provide sufficient details to indicate the offerors' policies and procedures that will identify, avoid, and mitigate any potential actual or perceived organizational or personnel conflicts of interest throughout the IDIQ ordering period.

L.16

Supplemental

Information

Pg. 126

In the Supplemental Section, numbers 6‐8 are fill in the blank, providing UEI, Taxpayer ID, and Cage Code. Are we to include this page from the RFP with the information filled in, or can we include this information as part of the

Cover Page that will be signed by an authorized signatory?

This information can be included as a part of a Cover Page as long as it is easily found.

We are interested in this IDIQ; however, we do not believe the first task order is a good fit for our firm at this time. Is it possible to submit a proposal only for the IDIQ part of this solicitation so that we may apply for future task orders?

Offerors may submit a proposal only for the IDIQ part of this solicitation. As a reminder, each successful IDIQ offeror is expected to have capabilities to conduct all of the tasks and subtasks outlined in the IDIQ.

PAGE 9 OF 14 91990024R00010001

Will the IDIQ part of the proposal be scored separate from the proposal for Task Order 0001? Or will both proposals be scored together?

The entire technical volume will be scored together. However, the government reserves the right not to review Part 2 if it determines that the offeror does not meet the minimum requirements under Part 1. Offerors who only submit Part 1 will be scored solely on the basis of the requirements under

Part 1.

How many task orders do you expect to release under this

IDIQ?

This requirement is an Indefinite Delivery‐Indefinite Quantity

(IDIQ) vehicle, so the number of task orders that will be awarded over the entire ordering period is unknown.

Is it possible to extend the proposal deadline past the current due date of 10/25/23?

It is not possible to extend the proposal deadline.

Does the potential shutdown of the government affect the status and timing of this opportunity?

At this time, no changes to the status and timing of the opportunity are anticipated.

We noticed this was released for by IES but it wasn’t released under PRESTO even though much of the SOW fits into the PRESTO categories. I was just wondering if you had any context/background you are able to share about the requirement?

The purpose of this Indefinite Delivery‐Indefinite Quantity

(IDIQ) vehicle is to integrate and build upon evaluation studies conducted in one important topic area in education. Successful offerors are expected to have the capabilities and expertise to conduct all of the tasks and subtasks outlined in the IDIQ, in the specific context of evaluating programs and strategies to improve student supports, academic enrichment, and conditions for learning in schools, community learning centers, and other contexts.

RFP insert from page 121: “To indicate the availability of staff persons to work on the IDIQ in general and the Task

Orders specifically, offerors should also indicate the proportion of each staff person’s time (including subcontractors and consultants) that is committed to current and pending federal and non‐federal projects from

January 2024 through January 2029. If staff proposed for the Task Order overlap entirely with those proposed for the IDIQ, the offeror may reference in the Task Order proposal the specific table or text on staff commitments that is included in the IDIQ proposal rather than include it a second time.”

Question: Given the fact that the staff commitments will change significantly during the duration of the IDIQ period of performance, please clarify if it is required for both the

IDIQ and TO submissions or just for the TO submission.

Please provide staff commitments for both the IDIQ and Task

Order 0001.

We are also wondering about the potential government shutdown and how it may affect our proposal submission process and the timeline. We would appreciate any clarification you are able to share.

At this time, no changes to the status and timing of the opportunity are anticipated.

PAGE 10 OF 14 91990024R00010001

SECTION I

CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS--

COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (SEP 2023)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services:

(1) 52.203-19, Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (JAN 2017) (section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) and its successor provisions in subsequent appropriations acts (and as extended in continuing resolutions)).

(2) 52.204-23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities (NOV 2021) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

(3) 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (NOV 2021) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115-232).

(4) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (NOV 2015).

(5) 52.232-40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (MAR 2023) (31 U.S.C. 3903 and 10 U.S.C. 3801).

(6) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (AUG 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(7) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004)(Public Laws 108-77 and 108-78 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services:

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.] X (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (JUN 2020), with Alternate I (NOV 2021)(41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 4655).

(2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (NOV 2021) (41 U.S.C. 3509).

(3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (JUN 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5). (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.)

X (4) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (JUN 2020) (Pub. L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

(5) [Reserved]

(6) 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (OCT 2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

(7) 52.204-15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (OCT 2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

(8) 52.204-27, Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application (June 2023) (Section 102 of Division R of Pub. L. 117-328).

X (9) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government`s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (NOV 2021) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

(10) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (OCT 2018) (41 U.S.C. 2313).

(11) [Reserved]

(12) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (OCT 2022) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

(13) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (OCT 2022) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C.

657a).

(14) [Reserved] (15)(i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2020)) (15 U.S.C. 644).

(ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-6.

(iii) Alternate II (NOV 2011) of 52.219-6.

(16)(i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2020)) (15 U.S.C. 644).

(ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020)) of 52.219-7.

(iii) Alternate II (MAR 2004) of 52.219-7.

X (17) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (SEP 2023) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

(18)(i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (SEP 2023) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)).

(ii) Alternate I (JAN 2017) of 52.219-9.

(iii) Alternate II (NOV 2016) of 52.219-9.

(iv) Alternate III (JUN 2020) of 52.219-9.

(v) Alternate IV (SEP 2023) of 52.219-9.

(19) (i) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

(ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-13.

(20) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (OCT 2022) (15 U.S.C. 657s).

(21) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages-Subcontracting Plan (SEP 2021) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

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(22) 52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (OCT 2022) (15 U.S.C. 657f).

X (23) (i) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (SEP 2023) (15 U.S.C.

632(a)(2)).

(ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-28.

(24) 52.219-29, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business Concerns (OCT 2022) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

(25) 52.219-30, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Women-Owned Small Business Concerns Eligible Under the Women-Owned Small Business Program (OCT 2022) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

(26) 52.219-32, Orders Issued Directly Under Small Business Reserves (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C.

644(r)).

(27) 52.219-33, Nonmanufacturer Rule (SEP 2021) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(17)).

X (28) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (JUN 2003) (E.O. 11755).

X (29) 52.222-19, Child Labor--Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (DEC 2022) (E.O.

13126).

X (30) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015).

X (31) (i) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (SEP 2016) (E.O. 11246).

(ii) Alternate I (FEB 1999) of 52.222-26.

X (32) (i) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (JUN 2020)(38 U.S.C. 4212).

(ii) Alternate I (JUL 2014) of 52.222-35.

X (33) (i) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUN 2020) (29 U.S.C.

793).

(ii) Alternate I (JUL 2014) of 52.222-36.

X (34) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (JUN 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

X (35) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (DEC 2010) (E.O. 13496).

X (36)(i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (NOV 2021) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O.

13627).

(ii) Alternate I (MAR 2015) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

X (37) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (MAY 2022). (E. O. 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial products or commercial services as prescribed in FAR 22.1803.)

X (38) (i) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA-Designated Items (MAY 2008) (42 U.S.C.6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

(ii) Alternate I (MAY 2008) of 52.223-9 (42 U.S.C. 6962(i)(2)(C)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

(39) 52.223-11, Ozone-Depleting Substances and High Global Warming Potential Hydrofluorocarbons

(JUN, 2016) (E.O. 13693).

(40) 52.223-12, Maintenance, Service, Repair, or Disposal of Refrigeration Equipment and Air Conditioners (JUN, 2016) (E.O. 13693).

(41) (i) 52.223-13, Acquisition of EPEAT(R) -Registered Imaging Equipment(JUN 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

(ii) Alternate I (OCT 2015) of 52.223-13.

(42) (i) 52.223-14, Acquisition of EPEAT(R) -Registered Television (JUN 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

(ii) Alternate I (JUN 2014) of 52.223-14.

(43) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products(MAY 2020) (42 U.S.C. 8259b).

(44) (i) 52.223-16, Acquisition of EPEAT(R)-Registered Personal Computer Products (OCT 2015) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

(ii) Alternate I (JUN 2014) of 52.223-16.

X (45) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (JUN 2020) (E.O. 13513).

(46) 52.223-20, Aerosols (JUN, 2016) (E.O. 13693).

(47) 52.223-21, Foams (JUN, 2016) (E.O. 13693).

(48) (i) 52.224-3, Privacy Training (JAN 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

(ii) Alternate I (JAN 2017) of 52.224-3.

(49) (i) 52.225-1, Buy American--Supplies (OCT 2022) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83).

(ii) Alternate I (OCT 2022) of 52.225-1.

(50) (i) 52.225-3, Buy American--Free Trade Agreements--Israeli Trade Act (DEC 2022) (19 U.S.C.

3301 note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note, 19 U.S.C. 4001 note, 19 U.S.C. chapter 29 (sections 4501-4732), Public Law 103-182, 108-77, 108-78, 108-286, 108-302, 109-53, 109-169, 109-283, 110-138, 112-41, 112-42, and 112-43.

(ii) Alternate I [Reserved].

(iii) Alternate II (DEC 2022) of 52.225-3.

(iv) Alternate III (JAN 2021) of 52.225-3.

(v) Alternate IV (OCT 2022) of 52.225-3.

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(51) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (DEC 2022) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note).

X (52) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (FEB 2021) (E.O.`s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury).

(53) 52.225-26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States (OCT 2016) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008;

10 U.S.C. Subtitle A, Part V, Subpart G Note).

(54) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (NOV 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

(55) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (NOV 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

(56) 52.229-12, Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements (FEB 2021).

(57) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Products and Commercial Services

(NOV 2021) (41 U.S.C.4505, 10 U.S.C. 3805).

(58) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Products and Commercial Services (NOV 2021) (41 U.S.C. 4505, 10 U.S.C. 3805).

X (59) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer--System for Award Management (OCT 2018) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

(60) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - Other Than System for Award Management

(JUL 2013) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

(61) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (MAY 2014) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

(62) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (AUG 1996) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

(63) 52.242-5, Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (JAN 2017)(15 U.S.C. 637(d)(13)).

(64)(i) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (NOV 2021) (46 U.S.C. 55305 and 10 U.S.C. 2631).

(ii) Alternate I (APR 2003) of 52.247-64.

(iii) Alternate II (NOV 2021) of 52.247-64.

(c) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (c), applicable to commercial services, that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services:

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.]

(1) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (AUG 2018) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

X (2) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires(MAY 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

X (3) 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards -Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (AUG 2018)(29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

(4)52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards--Price Adjustment (MAY 2014) (29 U.S.C 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

(5)52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment--Requirements (MAY 2014) (41 U.S.C.

chapter 67).

(6) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services--Requirements (MAY 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

X (7) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages for Contractor Workers Under Executive Order 14026 (JAN 2022).

X (8) 52.222-62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (JAN 2022) (E.O. 13706).

(9) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (JUN 2020) (42 U.S.C.

1792).

(d) Comptroller General Examination of Record. The Contractor shall comply with the provisions of this paragraph (d) if this contract was awarded using other than sealed bid, is in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold, as defined in FAR 2.101, on the date of award of this contract, and does not contain the clause at 52.215-2, Audit and Records-Negotiation.

(1) The Comptroller General of the United States, or an authorized representative of the Comptroller General, shall have access to and right to examine any of the Contractor`s directly pertinent records involving transactions related to this contract.

(2) The Contractor shall make available at its offices at all reasonable times the records, materials, and other evidence for examination, audit, or reproduction, until 3 years after final payment under this contract or for any shorter period specified in FAR subpart 4.7, Contractor Records Retention, of the other clauses of this contract. If this contract is completely or partially terminated, the records relating to the work terminated shall be made available for 3 years after any resulting final termination settlement. Records relating to appeals under the disputes clause or to litigation or the settlement of claims arising under or relating to this contract shall be made available until such appeals, litigation, or claims are finally resolved.

(3) As used in this clause, records include books, documents, accounting procedures and practices, and other data, regardless of type and regardless of form. This does not require the Contractor to create or maintain any record that the Contractor does not maintain in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to a provision of law.

(e)

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(1) Notwithstanding the requirements of the clauses in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this clause, the Contractor is not required to flow down any FAR clause, other than those in this paragraph (e)(1), in a subcontract for commercial products or commercial services. Unless otherwise indicated below, the extent of the flow down shall be as required by the clause-

(i) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (NOV 2021) (41 U.S.C. 3509).

(ii) 52.203-19, Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (JAN 2017) (section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) and its successor provisions in subsequent appropriations acts (and as extended in continuing resolutions)).

(iii) 52.204-23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities (Nov 2021) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

(iv) 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (NOV 2021) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115-232).

(v) 52.204-27, Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application (JUN 2023) (Section 102 of Division R of Pub. L. 117-328).

(vi) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (SEP 2023) ( 15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)), in all subcontracts that offer further subcontracting opportunities. If the subcontract (except subcontracts to small business concerns) exceeds the applicable threshold specified in FAR 19.702(a) on the date of subcontract award, the subcontractor must include 52.219-8 in lower tier subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities.

(vii) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015).

(viii) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (SEP 2015) (E.O.11246).

(ix) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (JUN 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(x) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUN 2020) ( 29 U.S.C. 793).

(xi) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (JUN 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(xii) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (DEC 2010) (E.O. 13496). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (f) of FAR clause 52.222-40.

(xiii) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (AUG 2018) ( 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

(xiv)

(A) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (NOV 2021) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O 13627).

(B) Alternate I (MAR 2015) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

(xv) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment-Requirements (May 2014) ( 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

(xvi)…