Q A.docx

Please see the questions and answers for solicitation AG-3151-S-15-0077, below. All identifying information has been removed, per protocol. No other questions will be accepted. All proposals are due no later than September 11, 2015, at 5:00 p.m.

1. Is this a new requirement or did an incumbent contractor previously provide services? If an incumbent contractor, what company was providing these services previously and under what contract number? There have been similar programs, but all of these contracts are fully bid each time so there have been several contractors that have been awarded similar contracts.

1. Given the tight delivery timeline, when is it anticipated that this contract will be awarded?

This award will be made in FY15. We anticipate a very quick award.

1. What is the duration of this contract?

This contract’s pop is outlined in the SOW.

1. What is the budget for this requirement?

Per the FAR, we are not going to share budget information.

1. Is this solicitation being conducted under simplified acquisition threshold?

This will be a simplified acquisition.

6. What type of contract will be awarded?

This will be a firm fixed price contract.

7. How will offers be evaluated?

Proposals will be evaluated and awarded as lowest price technically acceptable.

8. What are the invoicing instructions? Monthly?

Invoicing instructions will be provided on the contract.

9. Can you please provide the “Action Plan Template” referenced under the deliverables section? Will be provided once the contractor has been selected

10. Please clarify reference to “hotel debit cards” under “HOST INSTITUTION SHALL PROVIDE.” Is the government reimbursing all travel, accommodating and per diem or do the participants have to pay for their own hotel costs? All costs are covered by USDA

11. Do all of the participants speak, read and write English? At what level? All Speak English sufficient enough to not require interpretation

12. What is the gender breakdown – how many women and how many men? What is the age range of participants? What are the education levels? Not Applicable – Gender and Age is not a factor in selection of the participants

13. Have participants already begun the visa process? What happens if a selected participant is denied a visa? No visas have been issued, if a participants does not receive a visa USDA will cover costs incurred due to that cancellation.

14. Can you please provide a list of site visits conducted during past fellowship programs in California and the Pacific Northwest?

Each team consists of new fellows, the location should be chosen based on how the activities meet the program leaning objectives, not based on previous visits.

15. Can you please provide a sample past agenda for the fellowship program? Agendas should show each day’s activities and how they meet the program learning objectives

16. Should key personnel possess any specific qualifications, experience level or degrees? If yes, please provide this information.

Knowledge of the program learning objectives, experience with the industry and adult learning skills should be demonstrated. No minimum education level Once again, should three or more small businesses respond, this will be a total small business set aside contract and only small businesses will be considered.