Solicitation_Questions_and_Answers.docx

Please see the below questions and answers for solicitation AG-3151-S-17-0010.

All further questions regarding this solicitation will not be acknowledged. All vendor identifiable information has been removed. No budgetary information will be released during the solicitation process. Questions pertaining to additional or similar work will not be answered. Information on interested vendors will not be released. Should three or more small businesses provide adequate proposals, only small businesses will be considered. Questions are numbered and all answers are bold.

All proposals must be submitted via email and only to Jeremiah.Keenan@wdc.usda.gov and Erin.Olenjack@wdc.usda.gov by 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) on March 1, 2017. Proposals submitted after this time will not be considered.

1. Do you have specific dates within March that would be preferred for your cohort?

No, DAM does not have any specific preferred dates. DAM requests to obtain the March and April training availability for each vendor providing a response, and DAM will work around those dates to select our cohort training date.

1. How much detail do you need in support of past performance to best assess?

DAM does not have a specified amount of detail to support past performance assessment. 2-4 verifiable instances/references will suffice.

1. Please describe/provide more specifics for your desired outcomes for these deliverables:

2. Develop learning and coaching plans to include assessment, metrics, strategic objectives, competency development, and accountability and results To help guide and tailor instruction to the needs of the DAM participants, vendors may issue pre-assessments for DAM participants to complete. DAM would like for the instruction to tie into our organization’s strategic objectives (invest in the workforce, providing outstanding customer service, and increase operational efficiencies). DAM can provide more detail around these objectives once contract has been awarded. In order to best achieve mission results, DAM wants our managers to have a high degree of introspection, who can communicate well, and can take ownership/accountability for themselves and their employees. DAM wants participants to come away from the Gettysburg training better equipped to identify, address and develop their skills in these areas. It has been determined that metrics are no longer necessary.

2. Guide middle managers in building action and/or implementation plans DAM does not expect vendors to build action and/or implementation plans, but through the curriculum and instruction, guide/aid participants in being introspective, and how to identify and better understand what competency/skill areas they are strong and weak. This will enable participants to come away from the Gettysburg training with the tools to identify competency areas they will concentrate on and develop, in order to better prepare them to achieve mission results.

1. Develop learning and coaching plans to include assessment, metrics, strategic objectives, competency development, and accountability and results.

To help guide and tailor instruction to the needs of the DAM participants, vendors may issue pre-assessments for DAM participants to complete. DAM would like for the instruction to tie into our organization’s strategic objectives (invest in the workforce, providing outstanding customer service, and increase operational efficiencies). DAM can provide more detail around these objectives once contract has been awarded. In order to best achieve mission results, DAM wants our managers to have a high degree of introspection, who can communicate well, and can take ownership/accountability for themselves and their employees. DAM wants participants to come away from the Gettysburg training better equipped to identify, address and develop their skills in these areas. It has been determined that metrics are no longer necessary.

1. Guide middle managers in building action and/or implementation plans DAM does not expect vendors to build action and/or implementation plans, but through the curriculum and instruction, guide/aid participants in being introspective, and how to identify and better understand what competency/skill areas they are strong and weak. This will enable participants to come away from the Gettysburg training with the tools to identify competency areas they will concentrate on and develop, in order to better prepare them to achieve mission results.

1. How much of the “Battle of Gettysburg” needs to be incorporated in the training?

The “Battle of Gettysburg” should be incorporated into the training as appropriate to emphasize the learning objectives/points DAM identified in the statement of work.

1. Is it possible for participants to share sleeping rooms? Or would a retreat/camp/conference type setting be acceptable?

No to both questions.

1. In the below statement, is this request for an additional meeting spaces with AV or just one meeting space recognizing that some portion of the program will take place on the battlefield?

“The DAM organization will need a classroom/meeting space for 1 ½ to 4 days that can accommodate 25-30 people for training/meeting sessions other than the Gettysburg training.”

DAM may need a meeting space and supporting A/V for 1.5 to 2 consecutive days (either before or after the “Battle of Gettysburg” training) to conduct our DAM leadership meeting/training session. If the vendor has a space to provide/conduct the classroom portion of the “Battle of Gettysburg” training, the DAM would not need additional space and supporting A/V outside the 1.5 to 2 days (before or after the “Battle of Gettysburg” training) as stated above.

1. Could you provide the FSA vision and mission statement?

Yes;

FSA Mission Statement: To serve our nation’s farmers and ranchers professionally, efficiently, equitably, and in a manner that is customer, taxpayer, and employee friendly.

FSA Vision Statement: We keep America’s agriculture growing.

1. Is the shuttle service to the battle field to include a tour guide?

DAM is not requesting a tour guide.

1. The battlefield closes at dusk, is there a need for shuttle service after the battlefield closes?

No.

1. What is the GS range/management experience level of the middle managers?

GS range of middle managers is GS-13 to GS-15.

1. In the objectives of the SOW it states that 1.5 to 4 days of the training will be conducted by the DAM executive leadership in the above mentioned classroom space. Can we get the agenda and training outline that the executive leadership will be conducting? Is this training a joint training venture between the contractor and the DAM Executive Leadership? If a joint training plan - what is the vision of DAM Executive Leadership incorporating contractor training based on history and the battle of Gettysburg.

Yes upon award and once completed, the agenda for the DAM session can be shared. No, this will not be a joint training venture.

1. Could you provide a copy of the DAM Strategic Plan?

Yes, upon award.

1. Is the intent of the contracted training to be focused on the battle of Gettysburg per scope, part 1, paragraph 2, based on lessons learned in leadership, conflict resolution, building trust and delegation?

Yes.

1. Is there a plan to integrate DAM Executive Leadership training with contractor specified training? Will there be pre-event coordination meeting or meetings?

DAM will look to incorporate key portions/lessons from the contractor training into our DAM leadership meeting/training session. Yes, there will be pre-event coordination meeting(s).

1. Is there an intent to conduct a battlefield walk to integrate the classroom training?

Yes.