QUESTIONS and ANSWERS to RFP AHRQ.doc

QUESTIONS and ANSWERS to RFP AHRQ-10-10004

1. What is the area of coverage required by the forums? Nationwide or local?

A:

The area of coverage is up to the offeror, whether community forums, regional or national. The offeror will have to make that decision based on balancing the feasibility of covering a larger area vise the cost effectiveness of a more ambitious coverage area.

2. Why was this NOT a set-aside?

A: The sources sought had to return at least TWO qualified small businesses that could do the work themselves or with limited help from larger businesses and the government did not feel that any of the capability statements received reflected this ability.

3. Do you want a cost proposal or a Firm Fixed Price proposal?

A: The government requirement is for a Firm Fixed Price proposal for this work. However, one section of the business proposal instructions asks for cost breakdowns. This is not an error. The government would require enough data to show how you arrived at your FIRM FIXED PRICE (in your business proposal). If you can do this with pre-negotiated GSA schedule rates, for instance, instead of a complete cost breakdown, that’s fine, too. What we do not want is for the offer simply to say, “We can do this for $XXXXX with no explanation of how they came up with that number. A cost breakout does this very effectively.

4. Can you post a government cost estimate?

A: No, we cannot. The government is looking for proposals that truly understand the requirement and part of that understanding would be reflected in the cost proposed for the work. A proposal that is way under or way over what the government expects should be the cost would likely either have not understood the requirement OR would have put too much into their proposal. This would not NECESSARILY eliminate an offeror in and of itself, however. But it would be another gauge for assessing understanding of the requirement.

5. Can you extend the deadline for proposals?

A: No, we cannot.

6. There is a reference to an Attachment 5, but I do not see one?

A: That was a mistake. There is NO Attachment #5.

7. We do not have much Past Performance since we’re relatively new. Do you give a neutral rating for no past performance?

A: Yes, no or little past performance would receive a neutral rating. While this is not necessarily bad in a vacuum, it would not look as good as positive, extensive past performance would and would receive a grade that would be lower than that.

8. I cannot see the ends of Attachment 2 because they are partially cut-off. What do the cut-off potions say?

A: Disregard. Attachment 2 does not apply to this project and was included by mistake.

9. Can you confirm your FAX number?

A: Fax number, in case there are inconsistencies in the RFP, is (240) 427-1740.