QAs_As_for_CELD.docx

RFQ # 95332419Q0040, MCC Corporate Enterprise Learning Development (CELD)

1. Page 14, Section 7.3 Key Personnel states that the Project Manager “shall have at least eight years’ experience;” however, further down in the paragraph it says that the Project Manager should have “seven total years’ experience.” Can MCC please confirm that the Project Manager should have at least seven years of experience?

The eight (8) year figure is correct; the other is an error. The third sentence of 7.3.2 on page 14 should read:

“An additional two years of experience (ten total years’ experience) may be substituted in lieu of PMP certification…..”

1. Page 14, section 7.3.2 does not list an educational requirement for the Project Manager.

Would MCC confirm that a master’s degree is not required for the role of PM?

A master’s degree is required for the individual in the PM role. The narrative is incomplete. The full, accurate information is included in attachment J.1, first page of labor category descriptions which specifies:

· 8+ years of PM experience

· Master’s degree or higher in relevant field

1. The project manager’s position description on Pages 14 and 23 requires “proficiency in Microsoft Office 2010 or later (Word, Excel, Outlook, Access), MS Project 2010 or later, Power BI, and familiarity with and software/systems development lifecycle.” Would MCC change this from a requirement to a preference so to attract a wider pool of qualified candidates who have substantial years in project management but may lack proficiency in all these IT skills?

Virtually all requirements specified are deemed essential to effective execution of the role. Power BI might unreasonably narrow the potential field. MCC will remove the need to have Power BI experience. All other requirements remain.

1. Page 51, section L.8.1 indicates that there shall be (4) separate volumes submitted. On page 52, L.8.9 indicates that the BPA and Call Order should be submitted electronically in a single PDF file. Can MCC confirm that:

3. If Yes, can MCC confirm that Volume I and III should be submitted as two Volumes in one PDF?

Proposals must be submitted in four (4) volumes: Volume I BPA Technical Capability, Volume II Past Performance, Volume III Technical Quotation (Call Order) and Volume IV Price. (Volumes I and II can be combined into one .pdf document. Volumes III and IV must be submitted as two (2) separate documents.)

3. If no, can MCC confirm that the single PDF of these three volumes may be covered by one table of contents?

Volume 1 & II can be covered by one table of contents, Volume III & IV should have their own table of contents, since they will be submitted separately as two documents.

1. On page 52, section L.8.9, Volume I is referred to as “Technical Capabilities,” and on Page 56, section M.2., the RFQ states that Evaluation Factor 1 is the “BPA Technical Capabilities.” However, on page 51, section L.8.1, the RFQ states that Volume I is entitled “Corporate Capabilities (BPA)”. Can MCC please confirm that Volume I should be titled “Technical Capabilities”?

Volume I should be titled “Technical Capabilities”

1. Page 52, Section L.8.9, states that Volume III – Technical (Call Order) is limited to 12 pages, with an additional 6 pages for Key Personnel resumes. Page 53, Section L.8.14, states that Volume III – Technical (Call Order) is limited to 12 pages with no more than 4 additional pages for Key Personnel resumes at 2 pages per resume. Last, in the same section on Page 54, in the final paragraph, the RFQ says the Volume III limit is 18 pages (excluding resumes, graphs and charts). We have the following related questions:

1. Can MCC please clarify the page limit of Volume III – Technical (Call Order), excluding the resumes, graphs and charts?

Volume III – Technical (Call Order) is 18 pages (excluding the resumes, graphs and charts).

1. Can MCC please clarify the page limit of each Key Personnel resume?

The page limit of each Key Personnel resume is 4 pages.

1. Page 53, Section L.8.13 Volume II – Past Performance states: “The quote shall include information on at least three (3) current or past projects of similar scope and size…” If the Offeror is partnered with a subcontractor that has a substantial role on the project, could the Offeror include past performance matrices from the subcontractor?

The government requires past performance from the prime.

1. Page 52, Section L.8.10, states that the “technical portion of the BPA quote shall include…a table of contents and cover letter.” Can MCC please confirm that the table of contents and cover letter do not count toward the page limit?

NOTE: Cover pages, executive summaries/cover letters, and tables of content do not count toward the page limit.

1. Would MCC consider allowing a title page and acronyms list that do not count toward the page limit?

Yes

1. Page 52, Section L.8.10 Volume I – Content of Technical Quotation, states: “Oral presentation power point slides must be included as part of the Technical Quote of the BPA, but will not be included in the page count.” Can MCC please confirm that Offerors should submit the power point slides as a separate email attachment?

Oral Presentation Power point slides must be included as a part of the Technical Quote of the BPA, but will not be included in the 20 page count.

1. Page 53, section L.8.11 states, “The documentation submitted shall illustrate the approach for satisfying the requirements of this solicitation.” However, on page 56, Section M.2, Evaluation Factors 1 and 2 do not include any criteria for evaluating the offeror’s “approach for satisfying the requirements.” Can MCC remove the above phrase from L.8.11, as the approach will not be evaluated in the technical volumes?

MCC will not remove this phrase. These are instructions to the Offeror for submission requirements.

1. Page 53, Section L.8.13 states “There is no page limit to past performance.” However, on page 52, Section… it states that Volume II – Past Performance is limited to 6 pages. We have the following related questions:

1. Can MCC please confirm that Volume II – Past Performance does not contain a page limit? No, this is incorrect.

1. If Volume II does have a page limit, can MCC please confirm that this is 6 pages? Page limit will be 10 pages total.

1. If Volume II does have a page limit, can MCC please confirm that the CPAR records that may be included in Volume II in lieu of past performance questionnaires do not count toward the page limit? No. It is incumbent for the Offeror to reach out to the clients to complete and submit past performance questionnaires.

1. Page 53, Section L.8.10, (3) indicates that “A written response to BPA based on the following Factors delineated in section M in the same sequences as below;” but does not include a sequence below. Can MCC please confirm that the below sequence refers to the bullet points listed beneath the evaluation factors in section M (p. 56-57), or kindly point out where in the solicitation (which page) we would find the “sequence below”?

Remove the sentence “A written response to BPA based on the following factors delineated in Section M in the same sequences as below”

1. Can MCC confirm that the quotations for Volume I: BPA Technical Capabilities and Volume III: Call Order I should be organized as per the bullet points listed in section M (pp. 56-57)?

Offerors are expected to organize their proposal in the way they believe best represents and communicates their plan for responding to requirements.

1. Page 57, Section M.2., Evaluation Factor 3: Oral presentations, of the RFQ states that the Offeror should include “recruitment, retention practices and methods, compensation and benefits for retention purposes.” Can MCC confirm they would like this information to be a point of emphasis in the offeror’s presentation?

Please see third paragraph of section L.10, p. 55, for the most thorough treatment of what MCC would expect to see in the oral presentation. MCC expects offerors to make their own proprietary decisions about what information they intend to emphasize in order to demonstrate their: “technical understanding of and ability to satisfy MCC requirements and subject matter expertise.”

1. Page 57, Section M.1, of the RFQ states: “Factors 1,2,3 and 4 when combined are more important than Factor 5.” Can MCC clarify whether Evaluation Factors 1 through 4 are in descending order of importance?

These are detailed in M.2. Evaluation Factors, the section following section M.1, on pp. 56-57. They are presented in the Solicitation in descending order of importance:

Evaluation Factor 1: BPA Technical Capabilities Evaluation Factor 2: Call Order 1 Evaluation Factor 3: Oral Presentations Evaluation Factor 4: Past Performance

1. In Attachment J.1, the PM position’s Technical or Project Role, Responsibilities and Demonstrated Skills or Expertise details that this person must “lead implementation of all program components to include administrative, technical, and financial matters.” It also requires this position to “provide quality assurance on all deliverables and integration across elements.” In our experience, the Project Director is responsible for overseeing technical aspects of the project, including quality assurance of deliverables. Will MCC kindly remove such technical and quality assurance responsibilities from the PM’s set of skills required?

It would not make sense or serve the interests of the government to remove the requirement. Quality control, quality assurance and integration (attention to dependencies) are integral to effective project management, for which the PM is accountable. We recognize that both the PM and the PD have responsibility in these areas.

1. Given the complexity of responding to the BPA and call order scopes of work and having to submit the oral presentation power point along with the quotation, would MCC consider extending the Offer due date to April 26, 2019? If so, could MCC please inform the Offerors if this would delay the tentative timeframe for the oral presentations?

MCC is not able to alter the timeline. This solicitation follows two related RFIs, so industry has had an opportunity to understand a solicitation would likely be coming.

1. We would like to request clarification regarding certain discrepancies between the requested labor categories as described in Section B.6 COST AND PRICING, compared to the sample pricing template in Attachment J.4 and in the category descriptions in Attachment J.1. We realize that many of these discrepancies may be due to simple naming difference, and we respectfully request that MCC review them and provide a unified set of categories to ensure Offerors are including all required labor category pricing. These include:

1. The following categories appear in the J.4 pricing template, but not in Section B.6 or in the J.1 descriptions:

· Communications Specialist

· Senior Learning Specialist/I/O Psychologist

· Evaluation SME

· Analyst [Data]

· Instructor/Learning Specialist

· Language Instructor

· Course Developer

1. The following categories appear in B.6 and J.1, but not in J.4:

· Analyst

· Training Instructor (entered twice in B.6)

· Senior Training Instructor

· Systems Analyst

1. The following category appear in B.6 but not in J.4 or J.1:

· Specialist

1. The following categories appears in J.1 and J.4 but not in B.6:

· Senior Instructor/Senior Learning Specialist

Please see attached revised B.6 for labor rates; J1 Labor categories and descriptions and J4 –sample pricing template.

1. Attachment J.4 contains specific LOE for the labor categories and some ODC categories. We have the following questions in this regard:

19. Can MCC please confirm whether the LOE in Attachment J.4 is mandatory, or whether Offerors can modify the proposed Level of Effort in accordance with the Technical Proposal?

MCC expects that offerors will adjust the LOE in accord with their respective Technical Proposals.

19. Can MCC please confirm whether the indicated items and units in Other Direct Costs are mandatory, or whether Offerors can adjust these in accordance to their Technical Proposal?

MCC expects that Offerors’ proposed items and units in Other Direct Costs will align with their respective Technical Proposals. Technical Proposals, in turn, are expected to be responsive to requirements detailed in the Solicitation.

19. Can MCC clarify whether Offerors should price a fifth Option period for Call order 1, and whether this is for six months?

Offerors are required to provide pricing for the 5th option period and it is for six (6) months.

19. The pricing template in Attachment J.4 includes 2% annual increase on labor rates. Would MCC please confirm that Offerors may propose different annual escalation rates, in accordance with the pricing for the BPA to be provided under B.6?

Our pricing template is a sample and a guide. Vendors can propose escalation rates as it relates to their response.

19. The section for Other Direct Costs in Attachment J.4 does not have a row for offerors to indicate their indirect charges on materials and other direct costs, in accordance with their cost recovery practices. Would MCC please confirm offerors may include these indirect changes for the Call Order 1 price proposal and any subsequent call orders?

MCC has provided a plug-in for ODCs. Vendors are required to use the plug-in for planning purposes.

1. Attachment J.1 indicates the labor category requirements in terms of years of relevant work experience and education, such as Bachelor’s Degree. To allow MCC and offerors access to a wider talent pool, we request that the education and experience requirements be expanded to allow substitution of years of experience for education. Specifically, would MCC accept 4 years of relevant work experience be counted as a degree level? For example, if a Master’s Degree plus 8 years of relevant experience is required for a certain category, then a Bachelor’s Degree with 12 years’ experience would be considered equivalent and compliant.

Experience will not be substituted for education for this requirement.

1. Some of the ODCs listed in Attachment J.4 are difficult to be priced at this stage, in the absence of concrete activity scale and scope (for example, “Materials, Printing, Supplies, and Miscellaneous” can vary widely). Would MCC provide plug figures for these ODCs, in order to level the playing field and simplify the review process?

MCC provided a plug-in number for the ODCs -Attachment J.4 pricing template and Section B.6

1. The instructions for submission of bids in Section L.8.1 include specified Volumes for Corporate Capabilities (Volume I), Past Performance (Volume II), Call Order Technical Quotation (Volume III) and Call Order Price Quote (Volume IV). However, there is no specified volume for the BPA Pricing Rates, as required under B.6. Can MCC please indicate the proper volume for inclusion and discussion of proposed BPA Pricing rates?

BPA pricing rates details should be submitted in a separate spreadsheet (page limit unlimited) which should be included in BPA Volumes 1 & II.

1. Section M.3 Evaluation Methodology includes a Responsibility Determination, in accordance with FAR 9.104-1. Can MCC please indicate in which Volume offerors should include their Evidence of Responsibility Statements?

Include in Volume 1 – not counted towards the page count.

25. Whether companies from Outside USA can apply for this?

(like, from India or Canada)

Please see Sections C.1.5.0 and C.1.6.0, p. 13 of the Solicitation. The work will be performed in the “Washington, DC metropolitan area…….Travel expenses to MCC’s offices or nearby training locations….will not be paid or reimbursed..” How Offerors intend to organize themselves to comply with requirements detailed in these sections is a business decision.

26. Whether we need to come over there for meetings?

Please see the answer to Question 25.

27. Can we perform the tasks (related to RFP) outside USA?

(like, from India or Canada)

Please see the answer to Question 25.

28. Can we submit the proposals via email?

Please see email addresses in Section L.6. of the published solicitation on page 51.

29. Have any assessments of current pain points, skills, or capability gaps been undertaken. If so, would it be possible for these to be shared for reference?

The FY2018 Learning Needs Assessment concluded that the absence of consistent learning opportunities constituted a pain point. Specific areas of need skills/development identified included: MCC-tailored project and change management knowledge and skills; business communication (oral, written); ‘soft skills’; supervising in a federal context; budget; and leadership. Management is addressing role clarity in the context of ‘people planning’.

30. To what extent has training content already been developed (versus needing to be developed as part of the BPA). Would it be possible to share a description of existing learning resources currently available at MCC?

Limited audience-appropriate content has been developed.

31. The RFQ notes that MCC employs 300 staff and an additional 100 individual contractors. Is this the population intended for the corporate enterprise learning program? Would any training be offered to external parties? If so, which external parties are likely to benefit and to what extent?

The purpose of the corporate enterprise learning program is to meet development needs of agency employees. The staff of ~400 identified in the solicitation (FTEs, individual contractors, and PSCs) constitute the target population.

32. The table provided in B.6 notes 12 labor categories, of which two are key personnel. Should the offeror determine that some of the categories are not applicable to the proposal, may we exclude said categories?

Please see answers to Questions 19 and 20.

33. May bidders whose approved GSA rates are weekly team-based rates (rather than hourly individual rates) modify the pricing templates and schedules slightly to accommodate their official GSA unit pricing, while still showing the total proposed hours and other information required by the RFQ?

MCC requests use of the template provided in order to allow transparent and fair comparison across Offerors’ pricing.

34. In regards to the estimated budget for this effort, is the range provided (ie $1M to $10M), representative of the full program budget or an annual budget?

Estimated budget was not provided in the solicitation.

35. Could MCC Share it’s organizational chart with structure, roles, cohorts, and size at each level.

Such a chart does not currently exist. Information on structure of MCC can be found at https://www.mcc.gov/about/org-chart. Relative size of the six departments (in ascending order) is as follows: Office of the CEO, Congressional and Public Affairs, Office of the General Counsel, Department of Policy & Evaluation; Department of Administration and Finance; and Department of Compact Operations.

36. How is learning and development currently managed, including how many staff are dedicated to this purpose, if any?

Learning and development are managed by the Talent & Organizational Development (TOD) branch within the Human Resources division. Current staffing, which will likely continue for some time, includes 1 FTE, 1 PSC, and 1 part-time intern.

37. What existing agreements does MCC have with external content providers (e.g. MOOC platforms like EdX and Coursera)?

There are currently no agreements in place.

38. B6: Price/Cost Schedule – Will MCC accept escalated rates after the base year for the BPA?

For Call Order 0001?

Please see the response to Question 20.d

39. B6: Price/Cost Schedule – The training instructor labor category appears twice in the table. Is this a duplicate and one can be eliminated or is one a senior and the other a mid or junior?

Please see the answer to Questions 19 and 20. One is a senior, the other a mid/junior.

40. Pg. 7, Section 2: The RFP states 'MCCLearn' supports virtual instructor-led training (VILT).

Does this mean that VILT courses can be delivered directly from MCCLearn or is there a separate conference tool hosted on Moodle? If a separate conference tool, what is the name of the tool and will MCC provide the conference call number for students and instructors?

VILT cannot be conducted directly from MCCLearn. MCC uses WebEx and has conference line capacity. MCCLearn can be used to share conference link and login details.

41. Pg. 7, Section 2: The RFP states 'MCCLearn' supports internal registrations. Will the resource identified in Subtask 4.2 Curriculum Management Support use ‘MCCLearn’ to manage registrations and track/record unique participants?

Yes

42. Within J.4_SAMPLE_CELD_Pricing_Template_v1: Under ODCs several items are listed, please clarify the following:

• Is the Data and Monitoring licenses for the evaluation tool?

Yes. This would be the Data Collection and Measurement System (DCMS) referred to in Section C.1.4.3.5, p. 11 of the Solicitation.

• Is the OTS catalog and resource access to tools like Lynda and EBSCO? For EBSCO, are there specific research databases you can name that you would like access to?

Correct, these constitute the referents of ‘OTS catalog’ and ‘resource access’, respectively. MCC does not have specific research databases in mind.

• For the third-party offerings, please identify the number of days of training you are requesting.

This is not known.

• For the training location, please identify the number of days of training you are requesting.

This is not known.

• For the materials, printing, supplies, and miscellaneous, please identify the number of days of training you are requesting, and the maximum number of students allowed in each course.

Number of days of training is not determined. This will be driven by agreed delivery plan.

• Based on the number of days of training you indicate, how many pages of content is typically included that would need to be printed?

It is not possible to provide this. It would be driven by course design.

43. Section F: Place of Performance: For the call order, is the place of performance MCC, contractor site or a combination of both? If a combination of both, which labor categories does MCC propose work onsite at MCC?

Please see the answer to Question 25. There is no expectation of permanent location at MCC. However, it would be likely that the PD—and particularly the PM—would need to be frequently at MCC to effectively meet requirements.

44. L.8.1: Submittal Format: Does the presentation have to be created using the Times New Roman font? 12pt for copy? 10 pt for graphics/tables?

No.

45. L.8.9: Page Count Table: Please clarify the page count for the BPA Call Order response.

Please see response to Question #6a.

46. L.8.13. Volume II – Past Performance: “The Past Performance evaluation may take into account past performance information regarding predecessor companies, key personnel who have relevant experience or subcontractors that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement when such information is relevant to the instant acquisition”. On pg. 57 - Evaluation Factor 4: Past Performance:

“All submitted past performance references must be for contracts performed by the offeror as a prime.” Please clarify the past performance requirements.

All submitted past performance references must be for contracts performed by the offeror as a prime.

47. L.8.15. Volume IV – Price Quotation (Call Order): Are the number of hours and other quantities listed in the Government's pricing spreadsheet to be considered mandatory or can offerors modify these hours/quantities for bidding purposes?

Please see response to Question #20. MCC expects that offerors will adjust the LOE in accord with their respective Technical Proposals. The ODCs amounts are mandatory plug-ins that the Vendor must use.

48. Regarding the evaluation tool, in addition to the user licenses identified for the performance evaluation tool, does MCC want any administrator or reporting licenses? Alternatively, does MCC want the vendor to provide all administrator activities?

MCC will request up to 2 administrator and reporting licenses, although the expectation is that the vendor would provide the bulk of administrator activities.

49. Does MCC prefer implementation costs for the performance evaluation tool (e.g., loading of demographic choices, integration with MCCLearn) to be included as part of the ODC ceiling and integrated into the tool’s license cost or have them provided as labor services on either an FFP or T&M basis to be determined later?

It is expected that MCC’s LMS administrator would be available to support and accomplish most of the effort required for integration. However, need for a low level of technical back-stopping may be anticipated.

50. Given the length of technical response, to include oral presentation, and the requirement for Past performance questionnaires to be submitted by the client prior to the due date, would MCC consider extending the due date by at least one week?

MCC is not in a position to do this. Please see the answer to Question 18.

51. Please share the vendors who have been supporting MCC with similar program design, training design and delivery and organizational development services.

This is a new requirement.

52. Please confirm if MCC has an established ceiling daily rate for consultancy services/support?

Not relevant

53. As there is a plug figure for Other Direct Costs, provided in Section B.6 Price/Cost Schedule, could MCC provide a plug figure for Call Order 01 for Other Direct Costs?

Call Order 1 has been revised to include the correct plug-in number for the ODCs. Attachment J.4 will be updated and attached to the amendment.

54. Solicitation: Page 13: Section 6.0: Travel. Please confirm that the selected offeror is not requested to maintain a permanent training space for execution of this contract. Please confirm that the selected offeror must have the ability to secure a training venue as needed within the requested 2-mile radius from MCC’s offices on an as-needed basis.

The delivery of training courses must be conducted either at MCC's offices, if the space is available, or at an acceptable training location within a two-mile radius of MCC's offices.

55. Solicitation: Page 14: Section 7.3. Key Personnel: Please confirm if the requested key personnel need to be located in the Washington, D.C. area.

Please see answer to Question 25.

56. Solicitation: Page 14: Section 7.3. Key Personnel: Please confirm that the certification of PMDPro would satisfy MCC’s requirement for the Project Manager to have a Project Management Certification or similar. Additionally, there is a discrepancy in the total years of experience required for this position. Please clarify the number of years’ experience needed, with the certification, as well as the total number of years of experience needed if the candidate does not have the Program Management certification or similar credential.

MCC cannot confirm that PMDPro certification is equivalent to PMP certification or commensurate federal training noted in requirements. Please see the answers to Questions 1-3 for more clarification on PM requirements. 10 years experience would be needed without PM certification.

57. Solicitation: Page 21: Task 6: Resources in Support of Program Planning and Implementation. Please clarify who – the selected contractor or MCC – will procure and maintain the licenses for OTS web-based resources. Additionally, please confirm that the selected contractor will procure and own the software licenses for Articulate 360, Gomir or equivalent.

The selected Offeror will procure and maintain licenses for OTS web-based resources on behalf of MCC as part of ODCs. The Offeror will procure authoring licenses as well, providing at least 1, and up to 2, license(s) to MCC’s TOD staff.

58. Solicitation: Page 52: Section L.8.10. May the offeror begin Volume 1 with a title page (not to count against the page limit), and then begin with the Table of Contents, Cover Letter, Written Response, etc.

Please see response to Question #8

59. Solicitation: Page 57: Evaluation Factor 3: Oral Presentation. Please confirm that all offerors submitting a proposal will be required to deliver the oral presentation.

Offerors must make it a priority to attend the scheduled oral presentations; failure to attend the oral presentations at the scheduled time will deem the offeror's response to be unsuccessful.

Did MCC have external vendor support for the development of the leadership dimensions model? If so, which vendor(s)?

No

60. Can MCC provide a copy of the leadership dimensions model?

Thoughtful communicator & relationship builder: Delivers clear and accurate messages by adapting communications to audiences and settings. Listens, conveys, and works to enable and incorporate diverse perspectives. Fosters successful relationships by employing a variety of approaches and channels.

Team-oriented people leader: Exhibits effective decision making and judgment to further MCC objectives. Proactively provides and seeks feedback to advance professional development of self and colleagues. Collaborates with colleagues to create impact for the Corporation and stakeholders while displaying respect and openness to cultural and intellectual diversity.

Strategic problem solver: Takes ownership and approaches work proactively and with a solutions oriented mindset to create impact for the Corporation and the people we serve. Seeks innovative approaches to improve processes and efficiencies within the organization. Takes a ONE-MCC mindset to balance numerous objectives and deliver results.

Knowledgeable practitioner: Brings and applies current professional expertise to operations to drive results within the organization and for the people we serve. Continues to learn and develop expertise in relevant field of knowledge to further MCC objectives and professional development.

61. Are vendors permitted to use a past performance of a proposed subcontractor, as long as the subcontractor is a prime on the referenced contract?

Yes

62. In the BPA response, does development (drafting and revision of ILTs, storyboarding programming, revisions of WBTs, for example) occur in Element II (Planning) or Element III (Implementation)?

Regardless of delivery modality, work would be spread across the two.

63. Page 9, 4.2.2: The solicitation indicates using data from the MCC People Planning exercise and MCC’s LDM and creating capability maps that will be the basis for mapping learning activities in section 4.2.3. In Call Order 0001, in Task 2: Element 1 (Subtasks 2.1 and 2.2, page 16) discusses developing the Preliminary Program Logic and the Draft MCC Core Curriculum, but there is no task for creating the capability maps. Will capability maps be provided by TOD along with the key roles, in order to map the Core Curriculum?

If the capability maps are not available, the LDM will be used.

64. Page 14, 7.3.2: The solicitation states that the Project Manager shall have at least eight years' experience but later says "An additional two years of experience (seven total years' experience) may be substituted in lieu of a PMP certification." Can MCC clarify how many years of experience required for the Project Manager?

Please see response to Question #2

65. Page 51, L.8.1: This part of the solicitation states that the proposal should be submitted in four separate volumes. On page 52, L.8.9 states that "the BPA and Call Order quote should be submitted electronically in a single PDF file." Can MCC clarify whether the BPA volume and Call Order volume should be submitted separately or in the same volume?

Please see response to Question #4

66. Page 52, L.8.10: For the BPA quote, are the Table of Contents and Cover Letter included in the 20-page limitation?

Please see response to Question #8

67. Page 53, L.8.13: The solicitation states that the past performance volume is limited to 6 pages total. At the bottom of section L.8.13 it says "There is no page limit to past performance." Can MCC clarify the page restrictions for Volume II - Past Performance?

Please see response to Question #12b

68. Page 53, L.8.14: The solicitation states that the Technical Quotation (Call Order) volume is limited to 12 pages – with 2 additional pages per Key Personnel Resumes, no more than 4 additional pages. At the bottom of section L.8.14 it says, "Page Limit: 18 pages." Can MCC clarify the page restrictions for Volume III - Technical Quotation (Call Order)?

Please see response to Question #6a

69. MCC 52.209-70 Organizational Conflicts of Interest: Preclusion from Implementation Contract (July 2012) -- Would the Government clarify the intent of this section? If a contractor is selected to provide the services in this solicitation, are they then precluded from providing other than learning development services to MCC or an MCC partner country?

Offerors are expected to use their expert judgment – also refer to FAR 9.5.

70. The solicitation (Section L.10) indicates that additional information on the oral presentation will be provided when an invitation is extended. Since the slides must be submitted on April 19th, can the Government provide any additional guidance on the desired content in order for vendors to tailor the materials accordingly?

There is no further information at this time. Please refer to paragraph 3 of Section L.10, p. 55.

71. Section L.8.1 indicates that the Offeror shall submit four separate volumes. However, section L.8.9 indicated "the BPA and Call Order quote should be submitted electronically in a single PDF file." Can the Government please clarify the proper submission guidance?

Please see response to Question #4

72. The solicitation indicates that Volume III (Technical Quotation) should be 12 pages in length with 2 additional pages per key personnel, no more than 4 additional pages total. The final sentence in section L.8.14 states "Page Limit: 18 pages (excluding resumes, graphs, charts, etc.)" though. Can you please clarify the page restrictions?

Please see response to Question #6a

73. The last sentence in section L.8.13 states there is no page limit for the past performance;

however, the table in section L.8.9 indicates a six page limit. Could the Government please clarify the page limitations to assure compliance?

Please see response to Question #12b

74. Attachment J_4_ Pricing Template- LOE on each Year, Question: Are the LOE hours listed in the document representative of what MCC believes the LOE is to accomplish all Call Order Tasks throughout this project?

Offerors are expected to propose LOE that aligns with their proposal and judgement informed by experience. Please see the responses to Questions 19 and 20.

75. Attachment J_4_ Pricing Template-LOE on each Year, Question: Is the offeror expected to update the hours (up or down) to accurately represent the LOE asked in the RF?

Offerors are expected to propose LOE that aligns with their proposal and judgement informed by experience. Please see the responses to Questions 19 and 20.

76. Published Solicitation - Sub Task 4.1 (Page 19) Offerings/courses may range anywhere from 30 minutes to multi-day, Question: For planning purposes, can the MCC provide any further guidance?

This will be determined in the Development Plan (DP, first referenced in Section C.1.3.2, p. 8 of the Solicitation). Offerors should craft their proposal and estimates based on their understanding of requirements specified in the Solicitation.

78. Published Solicitation - Sub Task 4.1 (Page 19) Provide consultation for up to 26 new/modified courses, Question: Is there a required length of this training?

No. See the answer to Question 77.

79. Published Solicitation -Sub Task 4.1 (Page 19) Develop up to 26 learning assessments of appropriate length, Question: Can the MCC define "appropriate length"?

No. This would be integral to course development. Please see the answer to Question 77.

80. Published Solicitation -Sub Task 4.5.3 (Page 11) Integrate with MCCLearn and offer a high-quality cost-effective option that includes features, or the equivalent, similar to Gartner's Metrics that Matter® modules, Question: Does the MCC utilize Metrics that Matter SW now? Or are we expected to recommend/procure this module?

MCC has not in the past, nor does it currently utilize the Gartner or any other similar SW. The Offeror is expected to recommend and procure SW appropriate to MCC’s needs and learning platform.

81. Published Solicitation -Page 9, 4.1, PROJECT MANAGEMENT (FIRM FIXED PRICE):4.1 is Firm fixed Price. Question: Can you advise what contract types are 4.2-4.5?

Time and Materials

82. Attachment_J.5_EXHIBIT_1, Current state column, It is indicated on the left side of the exhibit a vendor is in place for the language program, but the J4 pricing template indicates the need to staff a language instructor. Question: Are offerors expected to augment your in-place language program?

No

83. Published Solicitation Sub Task 4.1 (Page 19): This task will include developing new and/or customizing existing MCC offerings/courses, providing Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) training, or developing offerings/courses, to meet the identified training needs. Question: How many existing course are there in the TOD/MCC?

Internal deliveries at MCC have never been extensive. The agency has outlines for a limited number of courses.

84. Published Solicitation 4.3 page 10, The contractor shall, drawing from a current compendium of identified relevant learning activities and offerings( 4.2.3), propose and then collaborate with TOD to finalize a delivery plan (DP) for a suite of activities and offerings. Question: Are we to assume that the MCC has an existing listing of offerings (courses) that the offeror can utilize to formulate the DP? Can this be shared?

No such listing exists.

85. Published Solicitation, Page 23 - 6.2.2, There is a Key Personnel requirement for the Project Manager to have experience with Microsoft Power BI. Question: We believe this is restrictive for a project manager role. Would MCC consider removing this or reconsider woding (sp) the requirement as to have BI experience?

Yes. See the answer to Question 3. Power BI facility is not required for the PM role.

86. Published Solicitation, Page 22 - 6.1.1, “Instructors delivering live or blended learning shall have at least 7 years of experience delivering content with which they are tasked. Question: What topic areas will MCC task the instructors?

This will be determined by the Development Plan (DP, first referenced in Section C.1.3.2, p. 8 of the Solicitation).

87. Published Solicitation, Page 22- 6.1, Question: Will MCC SME's be provided to the course developers (ILT/VILT and WBT) in each topic area to create content?

Yes. It is expected they will be directly involved.

88. Published Solicitation, Page 40, The Contractor shall provide resumes of Key Personnel and non-Key Personnel for individual Call Orders. Question: Please confirm the resumes to be submitted with the proposal are only the Key Personnel resumes. The Call Order resumes would be presented at start of project.

Key Personnel are the only ones for whom resumes are required.

89. Published Solicitation, Question: Due to the magnitude of questions and requirements on this BPA and Call Order, would the government consider a 2 week extension to ensure they receive the best industry has to offer?

No. Please see the answer to Question 18.

90. Published Solicitation, Page 52 L.8.1, L.8.9 and L.8.14 L.8.1 defines Volume 1 as Corporate Capabilities (BPA). Then, the table in L.8.9 defines Volume 1 as Technical Capabilities for the BPA and has a separate line item for Technical Capabilities for the Call Order – Question: how does MCC differentiate between these two sections (L.8.10 and L.8.14 do not provide enough information to differentiate these two)? Should we only write to Corporate Capabilities in Volume 1 (BPA) and speak to sections 3.0 and 4.0 in Volume III (Technical Capabilities for Call Order)?

Please see pages 52 & 53 identifying the Volume 1 (L.8.10) and Volume III (L.8.14)

91. Published Solicitation, Page 7- 12 -Section 3.0 and 4.0, Question: Are Section 3.0 Scope of Work and Section 4.0 Specific Tasks and Responsibilities part of the BPA or Call Order 1?

BPA requirements are outlined in Section C.1, pp. 7-14. Call Order 1 requirements are detailed in the subsequent Section C.2 (pp. 14-23).

92. I am hoping to find out if there is an incumbent contractor currently performing these services, if similar services have been performed in the past, or if this is a new requirement. If there is an incumbent, could you please provide the contract or task order number?

This is a new requirement.

93. RFP Ref, Section B.5 - Under B.5 Items and Prices, government states “In a separate spreadsheet, Offerors shall provide backup documentation with the details of the labor categories and labor rates.” Question: Is the government referring to Attachment J.4? If not, please clarify the required back up for the proposed rates.

No. Please see response to Question #23

94. RFP Ref, B.5 Items and Prices - “Offerors shall submit their direct labor hourly rates…” Question: Please clarify that the direct labor rates should be inclusive of all costs such as salary, fringe, overhead, administrative and profit (“direct labor” typically refers to only salaries).

Please reference B.6

95. RFP Ref, C.2.0 Background - “It is currently in soft launch and by Q2FY19 will supplant all manual and share-point applications currently in use. It is a customized Moodle product (obtained and supported via arrangement with OPM Learning).” Question: Please advise who performed the installation and the customization of the Moodle product – additional background information will be helpful to providing a responsive program solution. Who at MCC is responsible for operating and maintaining the LMS? Is this person/group an MCC employee, other government agency, contractor, or a mix of some/all of the above?

The system was acquired via an Inter-Agency Agreement (IAA) with OPM. Actual installation has been accomplished by OPM’s vendor in collaboration with MCC’s LMS administrator who is a Personal Services Contractor (PSC).

96. RFP Ref, Section C: Subtask 4.1 - They may combine Web-based Training (WBT), Virtual Instructor Led Training (VILT), and Instructor Led Training (ILT) into a blended format, but total development for all courses will not exceed the following: Question: Please clarify the deliverable numbers for courses in subtask 4.1. Are these ranges per call order, performance year or for the overall BPA?

These are estimates and ceilings per performance year.

97. RFP Ref, Section C Subtask 4.1 - This task will include developing new and/or customizing existing MCC offerings/courses, providing Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) training, or developing offerings/courses, to meet the identified training needs. Question: Does MCC currently have COTS relationships with vendors, and if so, what are they?

No such relationships exist.

98. RFP Ref, Section C Subtask 6.1.3 - Instructors providing language training shall have: a) at least three (3) years of experience providing instruction in programs using the interagency language roundtable (ILR) or 'FSI' scale; and b) instructing technical experts in individual and small group settings. Question: Does MCC currently use a foreign language vendor, and if so, who is the vendor?

There will be no foreign language instruction under this contract. Disregard para 6.1.3 on page 22 and para 7.2.3 on page 14.

99. RFP Ref, In Attachment J.5 Exhibit 1 - The government states “LMS (Moodle product) being implemented” Question: Has the LMS been implemented? If not, when is the scheduled date for implementation?

The LMS (MCCLearn) is operational.

100. RFP Ref, In Attachment J.5 Exhibit 1 - The government states “LMS (Moodle product) being implemented” Question: What is the planned SCORM standard for the MCC LMS? Are there any plans to update or change the SCORM standard during Call Order 1 (BY & OYs)?

MCCLearn SCORM Standard is SCORM 1.2. There is no plan to change this. However MCC cannot definitively say that there will no change over OYs of the BPA.

101. RFP Ref, In Attachment J.5 Exhibit 1 - The government states “Most learning accomplished via SF-182s” Question: What is the average cost of employee-reported training? Based on MCC’s acquisitions policy or guidance, what is the dollar threshold or acquisition limit for the purchase of this type of learning?

Data on average cost is not currently available.

102. RFP Ref, In Attachment J.5 Exhibit 1 - The government states under Relevant Data Sources “People planning assessments to lay groundwork for ITM”. Question: What is the timeline for these activities – additional background information will be helpful to providing a responsive program solution. Who at MCC is responsible for the people planning assessment? Is this person/group an MCC employee, a contractor, or a mix of both?

The strategic People Planning effort is a mix of both employee and contract and on-going.

103. RFP Ref, Section: L.8.12, Volume I - Section L Instruction The quote shall map the information in the quote to the solicitation section. In other words, the quote shall identify the quote section and the offeror's response to the cited requirement.

Failure to map the quote to the solicitation requirement section may result in elimination of your quote from further consideration, Question: Please clarify how and where to place mapping in the proposal documents volume I and III.

Offerors are expected to proprietary and expert judgment to accomplish this.

104. RFP Ref, Section: L.8.13.1, In Section L.8.13.a, the RFP states, “there is no page limit to past performance, however in Section L.8.14 the RPF specified the limit 18 pages. Question: Please clarify the page limit for the past performance submission instructions.

Please see response to Question #12b.

105. RFP Ref, Section: L.8.15, The Price Quote will be composed of the direct labor rates and ODC burden rates from the BPA Rate Table in Section B.6 and the offeror's response to Call Order 1 in the Sample Pricing Template in Attachment J. Question: Please clarify the submission instruction as listed in L.8.9.c

Please see response to Question #23

106. RFP Ref, Section: L.8.15/Attachment J.4, The Price Quote will be composed of the direct labor rates and ODC burden rates from the BPA Rate Table in Section B.6 and the offeror's response to Call Order 1 in the Sample Pricing Template in Attachment J. Question: There does not seem to be a place for ODC burdens in Attachment J.4. Please clarify if the ODCs line items proposed should be inclusive of any ODC burdens or listed separately?

MCC has provided a plug-in number for ODCs. Vendors should use the plug-in number in Attachment J.4 for the Call Order 1 and Schedule B6 for the BPA

107. RFP Ref, Section M.2, Page 57, Question: For past performance, would MCC prefer US-based clients versus non-US based clients, or there is not a preference.

MCC is requesting Past Performance information for projects of similar scope and size, regardless of location.

108. Would it be advantageous to partner with Small Business sub-contractors?

Please refer to FAR part 19.702.

109. Has a learning needs assessment been done that shows employee and organizational learning needs? Could it be shared with the vendor?

A Learning Needs Assessment was conducted in FY18. Please see the answer to Question 29 for some further detail.

110. Does MCC TOD currently employee Gartner’s Metrics that Matter?

No. Please see the answer to Question 80.