5_Q A.docx

AG-3187-S-13-0239

Questions & Answers on Solicitation

Q1. Is it a "show stopper" as to not having the certifications/credentials outlined in your RFP.

A1. Yes, the certifications are required

Q2. Will you accept a proposal from firms that are not yet certified?

A2. No

Q3. If the certifications are mandatory, would an enrollment in one of the courses satisfy this requirement?

A3. No, offerors proposals must establish that they have the certifications at the time the proposal is submitted.

Q4. Would the Forest Service accept a PhD in a related field in lieu of the coaching credential?

A4. No

Q5. I am interested in applying for your executive coaching contract. I am not located near NM. Is the coach absolutely required to travel to the site for in person coaching? I understand the client can opt for telephone coaching, but if a coach is not able to travel to NM, should they bid on the project?

A5. For the clients located in Albuquerque, New Mexico and in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, the contractor must be able to provide in-person coaching if the client prefers this method. I cannot tell you whether you should bid or not. However, it may be difficult to be competitive on price if your technical approach includes traveling to meet this requirement since no travel costs will be reimbursed under the contract.

Q6. Will you accept proposal responses that are in Word (.docx) or Adobe (.pdf) formats?

A6. Yes

Q7. May we submit all required sections in a single document or do you expect to see separate volumes?

A7. Yes, the proposal may be submitted in a single document. The proposal may be submitted in one or more documents. However, it must be very clear which pages belong to which section.

Q8. Is there a deadline for submittal of questions?

A8. All questions should be submitted by 10 AM (MDT) on Friday, 06 Sep 2013. Questions submitted after this time may not get answered by the time proposals are due. However, I will try to answer all questions prior to the due date and time no matter when they are submitted.

Q9. Can you tell me just how many participants there will be or how many coaches are needed?

A9. It is unknown how many participants (clients) will utilize this contract for coaching services during each period of performance. The estimated number of participants (clients) is contained in the Schedule of Services in the solicitation (Estimated Quantity: 12 base year, 18 for each of the option periods). In paragraph 1.g. of the solicitation, it states the following:

g. The contractor shall be available to perform in-person coaching for approximately 50 percent of the effort in Albuquerque, NM and approximately 12 percent of the effort in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. The remainder of the effort will be accomplished through telephone and/or video teleconference (or other electronic means) to clients throughout the USA. Travel costs will not be authorized or reimbursed under this contract. The base-year services are to be provided from 28 Sep 2013 through 27 Sep 2014, with four one-year option periods which run from 28 Sep 2014 through 27 Sep 2018, if exercised.

It is up to the offerors to determine how many coaches will be needed.

Q10. Would the Government consider certifications from various other institutes, such as the Hudson Institute?

A10. Per the Hudson Institute, they said that their graduates are able to be ACC and PCC certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). If the offeror has the acceptable training and experience that has been approved by ICF then the answer is yes if they have an ACC or PCC. Hudson Graduates do not automatically get that certification. They must apply to ICF.

Q11. The Client-Coach agreement makes no mention of a no-call/no-show. If a coach shows for a face-to-face session and the client does not call and does not show up, does the contractor have the option to bill for that hour?

A11. Yes, the session would count towards the 6 in the series.