QAs_1.pdf

93310022Q0009 Barrier Analysis and DEIA Consulting and Training Questions and Answers #1

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Can the government please clarify how many focus groups are anticipated?

The government anticipates 4 focus groups.

2. Can the government please clarify what positions would be participating in the focus groups?

FMCS expects the focus groups to comprised of the Office of the Director, the Division of Agency Initiatives (DAI), Administrative Support Functions and Field Operations.

3. Can the government please clarify what type of data is anticipated to be collected and/or validated through focus groups, rather than review and analysis of existing documentation, and working with the EEO Director?

Focus groups are only suggested as a means of obtaining additional data should the review and analysis of existing documentation be insufficient. They are not required.

4. The trainings that are required are currently provided by the EEOC, along with a comprehensive resource guide. Can the government please clarify if there are specific objectives the FMCS would like the contractor to develop/deliver with these training requirements that are not offered by the EEOC?

Task 3.4 DEIA Training has been removed from the SOW. See Attachment 1 – Statement of Work REVISED. For Task 3.3 Barrier Analysis Training, FMCS is seeking comprehensive barrier analysis training. As such, this training should include objectives that would be covered by EEOC training.

5. Can the government please clarify the anticipated date of award? The quote sheet indicates 2/11; which would only provide approximately 20 days until the draft reports would be due. This appears to be a very aggressive schedule, especially since the contractor could not start until the security clearance was complete.

It is FMCS’ goal to award a purchase order by February 11, 2022. The report due dates have been extended to 4/15/2022 (Draft) and 4/30/2022 (Final). Attachment 1 – Statement of Work REVISED.

6. Can the government please give consideration to allow at least 35 business days for data collection, validation, analysis, development of recommendations, writing and editing of the reports and submittal?

The report due dates have been extended to 4/15/2022 (Draft) and 4/30/2022 (Final).

Attachment 1 – Statement of Work REVISED.

7. Can the government clarify how the contractor will be paid for “additional deliverables” that may be required in writing that were not planned for in the firm-fixed price response?

If additional deliverables, substantial in nature, are required by the COR, a modification will be done to add funding to the purchase order.

8. Can the government please clarify if this is a task order award under a GWAC, or if this will be a contract?

As this is being advertised on SAM.gov and not GSA’s eBuy, a purchase order will be awarded.

9. Can the government please clarify how long it takes to complete the required background investigation, and how that time impacts the 4.0 Deliverables schedule of approximately 20 days to develop and submit the draft reports?

FMCS does not conduct background investigations. As per Section 8.0 Security, contractors must have a completed background investigation at the Tier 2 moderate risk level (formerly MBI), or higher, with a favorable adjudication prior to the start of the contract. FMCS only verifies this information. Please note that this is only required for contractors who will be working with Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

10. Can the government please clarify if our response should be focused on “change management, planning, and implementation strategy” or data collection, analysis and report writing? The SOW doesn’t speak to specific requirements of change management, planning and implementation strategy.

That was written in error. For Technical Approach, the narrative should explain the methodology behind the company’s data collection, analysis and report writing strategy.

See Attachment 2 - Evaluation Criteria_Submission Instructions REVISED.

11. Can the government please clarify which position is considered “key” for this SOW?

It is up to each vendor to decide who is key personnel. However, key personnel should include the primary members of the team who will be performing the work proposed.

12. Can the government please clarify the proposal due date, as the Past Performance Questionnaires are required by 2/4, which is later than the stated proposal due date.

The solicitation was correct to have the quote due date as 1/31 and the Past Performance Questionnaires due 2/4. This is done to allow extra time for the references to send questionnaires while the rest of the quote is being evaluated. However, the due date is now being extended to 2/4.

13. Is it possible for the government to restate the proposal due date as 2/4 to allow for answers to be incorporated into our response?

The quote due date is hereby extended to Friday, February 4, 2022, at 3:00 PM EST.

14. Is there an incumbent working with FMCS on related requirements? If yes, what is the name of the firm and the contract number.

This is a new requirement.

15. Can the government confirm that all vendor questions and answers will be posted to SAM for incorporation into our responses?

All vendor questions and answers are posted to SAM to allow for fair competition.

16. Based on the anticipated deliverable timelines in the SOW, is FMCS expecting to have awarded the contract to allow contracting staff to begin supporting the outlined task, specifically 3.1 (Barrier Analysis) and 3.2 (MD 715 Annual Report), by February 15, 2022.

It is FMCS’s intention to award the purchase order by February 11, 2022, so the contractor can begin work on Monday, February 14, 2022.

17. On the Vendor Quote Sheet we noticed that DEIA Training is only listed to be performed in 2022. Will DEI Training need to be provided in 2023 and 2024. If so, should we include pricing for these years on the Quote Sheet?

Task 3.4 DEIA Training has been removed from the SOW. See Attachment 1 – Statement of Work REVISED and Attachment 4 – Vendor Quote Sheet REVISED.

18. In the Scope of Work Section 3.4 DEI Training; It says the contractor shall provide training for 10 FMCS employees. Please confirm that this is correct since President Biden’s Executive Orders referenced for this quote, EO’s 13985 and 14035, state training opportunities to be made accessible for all employees.

a. What level are the 10 FMCS employees to provide training for?

b. What is the expected number of courses to be provided?

c. What is the duration of each course expected?

d. Will the courses be provided on a virtual platform or in person?

Task 3.4 DEIA Training has been removed from the SOW. See Attachment 1 – Statement of Work REVISED.