AHRQ-13-10005_Amendment_002_-_Attachment__1_Response_2_Questions.pdf

Questions Received in response to RFP No & Title: AHRQ-13-10005 Planning, Evaluation and Analysis IDIQ (PEATOC) FY13 Sample RFTO #1 / Titled: Evaluation of AHRQ’s Research Innovations Portfolio Page 1 of 10

Amendment #2 - AHRQ-13-10005 Planning, Evaluation and Analysis IDIQ (PEATOC)

Attachment #1 - Answer to Offeror Questions:

AHRQ’s response to the received questions will be in bold blue font. Similar questions are grouped together with a single response.

RFP Questions:

RFP) 1. Question: What is meant by “award” in section H.7: Are you referring to the award of the task or the IDIQ award?

AHRQ Response: Awarding of future task orders.

RFP) 2. Question: The due date for both proposals and past performance responses is currently January 15, 2013.

Question: We respectfully request that the due date for both proposals and past performance responses be extended to January 30, 2013.

RFP) 3. Question: The proposal due date is very challenging and poses a problem in the sense that there are many staff who will be on leave during the period between the RFP issue date and the due date. Can the government please consider extending the due date, if only by 1 week?

AHRQ Response: In accordance with Amendment 001 posted on FBO, the due date for proposals has been extended to January 23, 2013.

RFP) 4. Question: With respect to Page 59, Technical Proposal Requirements, Section B -- Corporate Qualifications and Experience, item number (2): In the sentence, "Of particular interest is experience in responding to similar requests from other clients/customers," please define "other clients/customers.?

AHRQ Response: Other clients/customers include other federal agencies, including HHS and its operating divisions, partners, and stakeholders.

RFP) 5. Question: Re Attachment F, Section 7.1 Technical Proposal Requirements: Given the detailed nature of the sample task and the information that is required for each section of the response to the sample task, would the government consider revising the page count from 15 pages (double spaced) to 25 pages (double spaced)?

AHRQ Response: AHRQ will revise the page count from 15 pages to 20 pages, see Amended RFP Attachment F, Section 7.1.

RFP) 6. Question: Part III, Section L.11, page 65. Should the reference to “Attachment 1” be “Attachment A”?

AHRQ Response: Yes, this should reference Attachment A, not Attachment #1. See Amended RFP.

RFP) 7. Question: Part III, Section L.8, page 57. Are single-spaced resumes/CVs acceptable?

AHRQ Response: Yes.

RFP) 8. Question: As a result of the Sample RFTO’s inclusion in the technical proposal limit of 45-pages, can you increase the technical proposal limit of 45-pages?

RFP) 9. Question: Page 56 of 65 states that the proposal must be double-sided and page 57 of 65 states that the technical proposal is limited to 45 pages. Is it possible to expand the page limit to allow space to address each of the criteria sufficiently?

Questions Received in response to RFP No & Title: AHRQ-13-10005 Planning, Evaluation and Analysis IDIQ (PEATOC) FY13 Sample RFTO #1 / Titled: Evaluation of AHRQ’s Research Innovations Portfolio Page 2 of 10

RFP) 10. Question: Per pages 56-57 of 65, the technical proposal is 45, double-spaced pages, including the RFTO.

Attachment F suggested that the technical proposal is 15, double-spaced pages. Please clarify - is the RFTO included in the 45-page count for the overall proposal? Is it possible not to include the 15 pages of the RFTO in the count for the overall proposal?

RFP) 11. Question: Can the requirements outlined on page 58 of 65 for the cover page, table of contents, and 1-2 page introduction be excluded from the 45-page limit?

RFP) 12. Question: General question. Please confirm proposal format requirements of 45 page limit and 11 point font minimum and double-sided

RFP) 13. Question: For page limitations on the Technical Proposal, are Cover Page, Table of Contents, and Introduction included within the 45 page limit

RFP) 14. Question: For sample task order, are the cover page and table of contents part of the 15 page limitation for sample task order technical proposal?

RFP) 15. Question: Part III, Section L.3(c)(2), page 50. Is the “first page” referenced in this section synonymous with “transmittal letter” or “cover letter” and a separate item from the cover referenced under L.7 (b), page 56?

RFP) 16. Question: To clarify, the Sample Task Order Technical Proposal is limited to 15 pages. Are these 15 pages counted as part of the 45 page limitation for the IDIQ level Technical Proposal

RFP) 17. Question: Can the annotated list of pertinent papers, projects, reports, and conferences requested on page 58 of 65 be included as an appendix rather than in the 45-page limit?

RFP) 18. Question: Is the Past Performance limit of 20 pages part of the technical proposal limit of 45 pages or separate?

AHRQ Response: See the Amended RFP Section L.8.

RFP) 19. Question: Part III, Section L.8, page 57. Is the technical proposal page limitation single-sided 45 pages or double-sided 45 pages (to yield 90 sides)?

AHRQ Response: The overall page limit has been increased to 50. To clarify this means 50 single sided pages or 25 double-sided pages. Please also see the Amended RFP Section L.8.

RFP) 20. Question: Section L.10: Are companies without an existing "indirect cost rate agreement" eligible for contract award.

RFP) 21. Question: Attachment F, Section 7.1 Technical Proposal Requirements -- This section states “Brief biographic sketches or CVs, providing the relevant qualifications for proposed personnel, should be less than 10 pages in length.” Please clarify whether each individual biographic sketch or CV for proposed personnel should be less than 10 pages per resource or if the limitation is for all named resources in total?

AHRQ Response: Each biographic sketch or CV for all named resources should be 10 pages or less.

RFP) 22. Question: Part III, Section L.7 (b), page 56. Are font sizes less than 11 point acceptable in figures and tables?

AHRQ Response: Yes, as long as information is legible.

RFP) 23. Question: Page 60 of the RFP states, “The Offeror shall include a listing of all proposed project team staff, subcontractors, and consultants and provide resumes for all listed. The listing shall include their proposed job title and a brief description of their qualifications and experience.” However, page 64 of the RFP states, “The proposal shall be evaluated on the ability to successfully complete performance requirements through the proposed use of specified key personnel and corporate/organizational management resources.” Can you please specify whether the listing of

Questions Received in response to RFP No & Title: AHRQ-13-10005 Planning, Evaluation and Analysis IDIQ (PEATOC) FY13 Sample RFTO #1 / Titled: Evaluation of AHRQ’s Research Innovations Portfolio Page 3 of 10 personnel with their proposed job title and a brief description of their qualifications and experience should include all staff or just key personnel?

AHRQ Response: See Amended RFP Section M.

RFP) 24. Question: Could AHRQ provide an example of the type of “actuarial analyses and related types of studies” that have been funded under this contract or by AHRQ previously?

AHRQ Response: No Task Orders containing actuarial were awarded under the previous IDIQ.

RFP) 25. Question: Is this new work?

AHRQ Response: No.

RFP) 26. Question: What was the value of the entire contract over time?

AHRQ Response: See section B.2 TASK ORDERS, on page 4 of the RFP.

RFP) 27. Question: Part I, Section A, Additional Information, page 2. The solicitation indicates that six (6) awards are anticipated. Are all current PEATOC contract holders (incumbents) required to re-compete towards the anticipated six awards or are these awards in addition to the current contract holders?

RFP) 28. Question: Who are the incumbents?

RFP) 29. Question: Who are the incumbent contractors? Do they remain eligible for award?

AHRQ Response: The current PEATOC IDIQ Contract has expired; therefore, there are no current contract holders.

The previous Planning, Evaluation, and Analysis IDIQ contract vendors were:

AFYA Inc.

DB Consulting Econometrica Economic Systems IMPAQ International Insight Policy Research James Bell Associates LTG Associates New Edition’s Consulting Social Solutions International

RFP) 30. Question: Part I, Section C, (general question). What is the average turnaround time from task order solicitation release to task order award under the current PEATOC IDIQ?

AHRQ Response: There is no current PEATOC IDIQ contract, the timeline for award is determined on a case by case basis.

RFP) 31. Question: In reference to Section L.8 Technical Proposal Instructions, Section C-Management and Staff Plan, page 59. May the Project Director be a subcontractor or a consultant?

RFP) 32. Question: Other than the requirement for Program Director education and experience, are there other specific requirements for other Project Team education and experience levels? (i.e. degrees, certifications, X years of experience in related studies)

Questions Received in response to RFP No & Title: AHRQ-13-10005 Planning, Evaluation and Analysis IDIQ (PEATOC) FY13 Sample RFTO #1 / Titled: Evaluation of AHRQ’s Research Innovations Portfolio Page 4 of 10

RFP) 33. Question: Part I, Section C, Statement of Work, page 6. Does AHRQ have templates for various Contractor task order deliverables, i.e., design studies, program evaluations, etc. or will the Contractor be expected to provide deliverable templates?

AHRQ Response: Would be determined at the time of release of the request for task order (RFTO).

RFP) 34. Question: What is the place of performance?

AHRQ Response: Unless otherwise specified in future task orders, the place of performance shall be the contractor’s normal place of business operations.

RFP) 35. Question: Part I, Section C, (general question). For some task orders, will Contractor resources be working at

AHRQ facilities or at Contractor facilities?

AHRQ Response: Future Task Orders may or may not require the Contractor to be onsite at AHRQ facilities, that specific requirement would be determined at the time of release of the request for task order (RFTO).

RFP) 36. Question: Part I, Section C, (general question). If Contractors will be working at AHRQ facilities, what workplace resources will be available to Contractor resources, i.e., desk, phone, Internet access, etc.?

AHRQ Response: Would be determined at the time of release of the request for task order (RFTO).

RFP) 37. Question: How will travel costs be determined for the purpose of task order proposals? Will vendors be required to estimate on their own for each task order, or, will vendors be provided with information to base their task order travel upon (i.e. travel plug value for all bidders to use)?

AHRQ Response: Offerors are expected estimate on their own travel costs for each task order (if required). Offerors rates shall not exceed the per diem rates established by GSA:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/21287; Travel Requirements for each individual task order would be stated in the Statement of Work of that task order and the Offeror would be required to estimate according to the SOW requirements.

RFP) 38. Question: Are travel costs allowed and reimbursable on task orders?

AHRQ Response: See RFP Section B.3.

RFP) 39. Question: Is there any additional, specific information required for the cover page of the Past Performance volume?

AHRQ Response: None other than the requirements of L.3 (c)(2).

RFP) 40. Question: Section L.9, Past Performance Information -- Can AHRQ clarify if the list of 5 contracts and subcontracts completed means a total of 5, or up to 5 for the offeror AND up to 5 for each of the major subcontractors being proposed as part of the team. ?

RFP) 41. Question: In Section L.9 Past Performance Information: Are five Past Performance references required for the prime contractor and each Major Subcontractor? Or are five total Past Performance references required?

RFP) 42. Question: Reference: Pg. 62, Section L.9 - Past Performance – a.) What is the overall minimum number of Past Performance Questionnaires that AHRQ is requiring for the PEATOC IDIQ proposal submission?

B.) What is the minimum number of Past Performance Questionnaires that AHRQ is requiring from the Offeror and from any proposed subcontractors?

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/21287�

Questions Received in response to RFP No & Title: AHRQ-13-10005 Planning, Evaluation and Analysis IDIQ (PEATOC) FY13 Sample RFTO #1 / Titled: Evaluation of AHRQ’s Research Innovations Portfolio Page 5 of 10

RFP) 43. Question: Part III, Section L.9, Past Performance Information, page 61. Can the five (5) past performance contracts/subcontracts required include contracts/subcontracts of Contractor team members/subcontractors.

RFP) 44. Question: Section L.9 Past Performance Information, Section (d), page 62 and Section M Evaluation Factors for Award, Section 2, Past Performance, page 65. Page 62 states that the Past Performance Questionnaire and Contractor Performance Forms must be received prior to the January 15, 2013 proposal due date. Page 65 states that these questionnaires are to be provided no later than the closing date and time for proposals. Which is correct—that questionnaires must be received before January 15 or before the closing time on January 15?

AHRQ Response: See Sections L.9 and M of the Amended RFP.

RFP) 45. Question: Prior to award of a specific Task Order, what is the expected availability of the "Project

Team" addressed in the Management and Staffing Plan section of the Technical Proposal?

AHRQ Response: The contractor should have proposed project team available to respond to multiple RFTOs at any given time.

RFP) 46. Question: For the Sample Task Order, does AHRQ expect anyone would be precluded from bidding or participating on a bid for the Sample Task Order? For example, researchers who are part of one of the research networks listed under “Background/References?

RFP) 47. Question: Is there a conflict of interest with contractors/subcontractors doing other AHRQ work?

RFP) 48. Question: Reference: Pg. 58, Section L.10. B (1) – Corporate Qualifications and Experience --The offeror is asked to describe its corporate technical and analytic experience related to AHRQ’s issues and programs. An offeror that currently holds a contract with AHRQ or is a subcontractor on an AHRQ contract may have direct understanding and experience in one of more of the portfolios described in the Statement of Work (Section C). What, if any, are the instances in which an existing or future contract with AHRQ would be considered by the government to pose a conflict of interest to qualifying for this IDIQ or any future Task Order under this IDIQ?

AHRQ Response: No Conflict of Interest was identified for IDIQ RFP proposal submission purposes.

Conflict of Interests for future RFTOs will be determined on a case by case basis.

RFP) 49. Question: Section L.6.c., page 55 Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility (January 2010) states, in part: The Section 508 accessibility standards applicable to this solicitation are identified in the Statement of Work/Specification/Performance Work Statement. In order to facilitate the Government's evaluation to determine whether EIT products and services proposed meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, offerors must prepare an HHS Section 508 Product Assessment Template, in accordance with its completion instructions, and provide a binding statement of conformance. The purpose of the template is to assist HHS acquisition and program officials in determining that EIT products and services proposed support applicable Section 508 accessibility standards. The template allows vendors or developers to self-evaluate their products or services and document in detail how they do or do not conform to a specific Section 508 standard. Instructions for preparing the HHS Section 508 Product Evaluation Template may be found under Section 508 policy on the HHS Office on Disability Web site ( http://www.hhs.gov/od/ ).

Question: Please provide direction as to where this statement is to be placed in the proposal response.

AHRQ Response: In the technical proposal.

Questions Received in response to RFP No & Title: AHRQ-13-10005 Planning, Evaluation and Analysis IDIQ (PEATOC) FY13 Sample RFTO #1 / Titled: Evaluation of AHRQ’s Research Innovations Portfolio Page 6 of 10

RFP) 50. Question: Part I, Section H.7, General, page 22. How will personnel security requirements detailed in this section be handled for Contractor staff not initially listed in the Offeror’s proposal but possibly identified and utilized under future task orders where urgent initiation of a task order is required?

AHRQ Response: This section of the RFP is only applicable to future RFTOs that require contractors to work on-site at AHRQ facilities.

RFP) 51. Question: Part I, Section H.7, General, page 22. Is there an expedited process for personnel security requirements for urgent task order initiation?

RFP) 52. Question: Does the Government have a preference for team size (i.e. small number of subcontractors or a large diverse team

AHRQ Response: It is up to offeror to determine their best approach.

RFP) 53. Question: In reference to General Information, RFP Page 2. We understand that 10 organizations were awarded contracts under this IDIQ solicitation during the last cycle. In the introduction to the current RFP, it states that “the Government anticipates awarding six contracts.” Is this a hard and fast limit or is there a possibility that more contracts will be awarded, as in the past?

RFP) 54. Question: The RFP states that "The Government anticipates awarding six contracts from this solicitation on or about: September 20, 2013." Are the awards limited to six contracts or does the government reserve the right to award more contracts or fewer contracts than six?

AHRQ Response: The Government anticipates 6 awards but reserves the right to award more or less based upon Government needs.

RFP) 55. Question: The scope of work under the IDIQ identifies a number of study types which may be required under task orders. These study types all will require contractor interface with existing Government IT systems and data stores in order to have access to relevant information. Understanding this, and for the purpose of proposal submissions for the IDIQ, is the contractor required to show any specific proficiencies in IT systems or applications which are currently in use within AHRQ or other Health service organizations and which will need to be used for the completion of task orders? Is the contractor required to currently own or maintain any specific IT systems/application licenses in order to interface with Government data stores or systems for purpose of various study types mentioned in the RFP

AHRQ Response: No, contractors are not required to show any specific proficiencies or own or maintain IT systems/applications licenses beyond the Microsoft applications package, including MS-Word and Excel.

RFP) 56. Question: In Section L.3, Instructions to Offerors, subsection (c)(2), on page 50 of 65 of the IDIQ RFP, the government provides a list of items (i through iv) that offerors are to provide on the first page of the proposal. Does this list describe information that AHRQ wants offerors to provide on the cover page of each of the 3 volumes?

RFP) 57. Question: Please clarify the difference between the language cited above [RFP Question immediately above.] and the language that appears in Section L.8, Technical Proposal Instructions, in the subsection called "Technical Proposal Format" (top of page 58 of 65), where the first item, (a) describes different information to be provided on the cover page of the IDIQ Technical Proposal?

Questions Received in response to RFP No & Title: AHRQ-13-10005 Planning, Evaluation and Analysis IDIQ (PEATOC) FY13 Sample RFTO #1 / Titled: Evaluation of AHRQ’s Research Innovations Portfolio Page 7 of 10

AHRQ Response: This information should be on the Technical proposal cover in addition to the requirements of L.3 (c)(2).

RFP) 58. Question: Business Proposal instructions identify that vendors should provide financial data to indicate financial capacity. In order to determine a level of financial capacity required for this contract, would the Government be able to provide an estimate at the level of effort for task order activity for per year of the contract? (Vendors would then be able to compare financial data to the requirement and provide the appropriate amount of financial data?

AHRQ Response: Task Order activity varies year to year, See Section B.3 of the RFP for the Maximum Not to Exceed dollar amounts.

RFP) 59. Question: How will the government evaluate offerors' responses to the IDIQ business proposal requirements?

In other words, will you compare one offerors' rates to another, and could this comparison cause an offeror to be eliminated, or will you only be conducting a cost realism analysis of each individual offeror's labor rates for the IDIQ labor categories that firm proposes?

AHRQ Response: See Section M – 3. Business Proposal.

RFP) 60. Question: Section L10, Section A. Cost/Price Proposal Methodology -- Are specific labor categories or a specific format required for this portion of the business contract?

RFP) 61. Question: Will offerors be able to augment their list of approved IDIQ labor categories after contract award, in response to the specific needs of individual task orders that AHRQ issues? If the answer is yes, what will the process be for doing so?

RFP) 62. Question: Is it possible for the government to provide one consistent list of labor categories that all offerors should use in developing their response to the IDIQ's business proposal requirements?

RFP) 63. Question: Are the IDIQ labor category rates that offerors submit in this initial response considered "not to exceed" maximums

AHRQ Response: Specific labor categories will not be listed in the contract.

RFP) 64. Question: Section H.6 Task Order Selection Criteria and Procedures, Page 20 and Section L.10 Business

Proposal Instructions , Page 62 -- It is understood that Task Orders issued through this IDIQ contract may be Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) , Firm Fixed Price (FFP), and / or Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF). In the instructions, the RFP states that the contractor must “Provide the information on labor categories including a description, and associated labor rates you would anticipate being utilized under this IDIQ contract. Because the type of task order will vary, please provide more detailed instructions on the labor rates that should be presented for evaluation at the IDIQ level. More specifically should the rates be assumed to be for CPFF, FFP or CPAF?

AHRQ Response: It is up to the offeror to provide information on the appropriate labor categories or skill mix required to perform the requirements of the contract.

RFP) 65. Question: Is there a process for adding additional sub-contractors after the program award should the need arise.

AHRQ Response: Subcontractors will be included in individual Task Order Awards, not in the master

IDIQ.

RFP) 66. Question: Will Contractor Team Agreements (CTA) formed under FAR 9.601(1) be recognized as eligible to bid on this solicitation? If yes, must all of the members of the CTA meet the $14M size standard?

AHRQ Response: No, CTAs formed under 9.601(1) are NOT eligible to bid on this solicitation. Per the CFR (www.ecfr.gov) 13 CFR Part 121 (h) states “…A joint venture is an association of http://www.ecfr.gov/�

Questions Received in response to RFP No & Title: AHRQ-13-10005 Planning, Evaluation and Analysis IDIQ (PEATOC) FY13 Sample RFTO #1 / Titled: Evaluation of AHRQ’s Research Innovations Portfolio Page 8 of 10 individuals and/or concerns with interests in any degree or proportion consorting to engage in and carry out no more than three specific or limited-purpose business ventures for joint profit over a two year period, for which purpose they combine their efforts, property, money, skill, or knowledge, but not on a continuing or permanent basis for conducting business generally. This means that a specific joint venture entity generally may not be awarded more than three contracts over a two year period.”

This is a 5 year IDIQ Contract that will solicit for multiple task order awards. CTAs of this nature are not appropriate and will not be considered for award.

RFP) 67. Question: Will Contractor Team Agreements (CTA) formed under FAR 9.601(2) be recognized as eligible to bid on this solicitation? If yes, must all of the members of the CTA meet the $14M size standard

AHRQ Response: Yes, CTAs formed under 9.601(2) are eligible to bid on this solicitation. No, not all members of the CTA must meet the $14M size standard. However, the organization that is designated as the prime contractor must meet the size standard and must be able to meet the subcontracting limitations as stated in Clause 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting (Nov 2011) as stated in Section I of the RFP.

RFP) 68. Question: In Section L.9: What qualifies a subcontractor as a "major subcontractor" that requires past performance references, as opposed to "subcontractors" that do not require past performance references.

AHRQ Response: AHRQ would consider a major subcontractor as any subcontract that the Prime Contractor is relying on to fulfill a significant PEATOC function or requirement.

RFP) 69. Question: Are there any requirements related to team composition (e.g., organizational size of its members, small/large businesses), exclusivity on teams (i.e., can organizations participate on multiple teams), or prohibitions to bringing additional/new partners onto designated team post the contract award?

Does the RFP’s silence on this issue indicate that AHRQ allows any and all of these types of arrangements.

AHRQ Response: See Page 2 under “Additional Information”; See Section I of the RFP, Clause 52.219-6 Notice of total Small Business Set-Aside and 52.219-14. Limitations on Subcontracting;

See Section B.3 PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO DIRECT COSTS (a) Items Unallowable Unless Otherwise Provided item 9.

RFP) 70. Question: The RFP indicates that proposals must be delivered via mail. To help save the environment, reduce paper, and streamline this acquisition, please respond to indicate whether proposals can be accepted electronically?

AHRQ Response: No, please review the proposal submission requirements on page 2 of the RFP.

RFP) 71. Question: For proposals that are submitted via mail, please indicate the number of copies that must be submitted.

AHRQ Response: See Section L.7 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS (b)Authorized Official and Submission of Proposal on page 56 of the RFP.

RFP) 72. Question: RFP Section B.3 PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO DIRECT COSTS, a. Items Unallowable Unless Otherwise

Provided, (10) Consultant fees. Question: Why are consultant fees considered “unallowable as direct costs”?

AHRQ Response: Consultant fees are an unallowable cost unless authorized in writing by the Contracting Officer.

Questions Received in response to RFP No & Title: AHRQ-13-10005 Planning, Evaluation and Analysis IDIQ (PEATOC) FY13 Sample RFTO #1 / Titled: Evaluation of AHRQ’s Research Innovations Portfolio Page 9 of 10

RFP) 73. Question: RFP Attachment F p 93, Sample format for cost proposal. Question: Please describe where the sample RFTO business proposal should be included. Should they be together as section D of the technical discussion, or should it be in the business proposal?

AHRQ Response: The RFTO business proposal should be included with the RFP Business proposal.

RFP) 74. Question: Part II, 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, page 38. Does the provision under 52.219.-

14(a)(1) regarding use of at least 50 percent use of employees of the concern pertain to each task order or is this a requirement in the aggregate for all task orders awarded to a concern?

AHRQ Response: Each individual task order.

RFP) 75. Question: General question. When does AHRQ anticipate award announcement for this solicitation.

AHRQ Response: Page 2 of the RFP under “Additional Information.”

RFTO Questions:

RFTO) 1. Question: The Sample Request for Task Order (RFTO) makes reference to the "Research Innovations

Portfolio". Is this a reference to the AHRQ "Innovations/Emerging Issues" Research Portfolio described here: http://www.ahrq.gov/fund/portfolio.htm? Or it a reference to something else?

AHRQ Response: No, this RFTO is not a reference to AHRQ’s “Innovations/Emerging Issues.” It is a reference to AHRQ’s Research Innovations portfolio.

RFTO) 2. Question: For the Sample Task Order, in understanding what all the Innovations Portfolio does, could AHRQ verify whether AHRQ’s Innovations Exchange is considered part of the Innovations portfolio?

AHRQ Response: No, AHRQ’s Innovations Exchange is NOT considered part of the Innovations portfolio.

RFTO) 3. Question: What is the estimated level of effort for the Sample RFTO?

AHRQ Response: AHRQ does not provide this information. It is up to the offeror to propose.

RFTO) 4. Question: Is the task within the IDIQ an expected award by AHRQ or for evaluation purposes only?

RFTO) 5. Question: Does the Government expect to make Delivery Order awards concurrent with the contract award

(i.e., award the sample task response)? Does the Government expect to make Delivery Order awards concurrent with the contract award (i.e., award the sample task response)?

RFTO) 6. Question: Could AHRQ verify whether it expects to fund the sample task order upon IDIQ award?

AHRQ Response: AHRQ does not understand the basis for this question. Offerors should review the RFP/RFTO instructions and respond accordingly.

RFTO) 7. Question: For the Sample Task Order, can the deliverable table referenced in Attachment F be included as an attachment and not counted in the word count?

AHRQ Response: No, see Attachment F. Section 7.1.

RFTO) 8. Question: For the Sample Task Order, could AHRQ provide more detail regarding the purpose of the Task

Order to ensure a responsive proposal?

AHRQ Response: See amended RFP Attachment F, Section 1. Purpose of This Task Order.

http://www.ahrq.gov/fund/portfolio.htm�

Questions Received in response to RFP No & Title: AHRQ-13-10005 Planning, Evaluation and Analysis IDIQ (PEATOC) FY13 Sample RFTO #1 / Titled: Evaluation of AHRQ’s Research Innovations Portfolio Page 10 of 10

RFTO) 9. Question: For the Sample Task Order, could AHRQ clarify whether for Subtask 1.1. (focus groups) AHRQ envisions the participants to include ONLY AHRQ staff and not support contractors to AHRQ, or whether they could include both?

AHRQ Response: It is up to the offeror to propose their best approach.

RFTO) 10. Question: Attachment F. Please expand on the provision for task order time lines requested in the sample

RTFO for the associated tasks and deliverables?

AHRQ Response: Timelines are listed in the RFTO Delivery Schedule.

RFTO) 11. Question: In reference to Attachment F-Planning, Evaluation and Analysis IDIQ, Sample Sample RFTO, Section

C. Specific Requirements, attachment F: In subtask 1.1., is the task to conduct 6 focus groups plus an undesignated number of “discussions and interviews” or can the 6 focus groups suffice if they capture the full range of respondents?

AHRQ Response: See Amended RFP Attachment F. Subtask 1.1.

RFTO) 12. Question: Will task order project teams required to be positioned in the local area only? Or can teams leverage phone/video conferencing and web meeting communications for task order performance?

AHRQ Response: There is no requirement for the contractor to be positioned locally. It is up to the offeror to propose their best approach.

RFTO) 13. Question: Are program evaluations of current work limited to a specific evaluation tool? If so, has the tool been used before?

RFTO) 14. Question: Does baseline and historical data exist for current work areas?

RFTO) 15. Question: What topics are needed for literature reviews?

AHRQ Response: Literature reviews are not a requirement of the RFTO.

RFTO) 16. Question: Is automation of evaluations and assessments needed? If so, ongoing technical assistance? Is there a specific program or software currently used?

RFTO) 17. Question: On average, what is the expected turnaround time for task order project completion?

AHRQ Response: This is determined on a case by case basis.

RFTO) 18. Question: Attachment F Sample RFTO. For estimating purposes, what date should be used as the anticipated start date of the Task Order? What type of task order should be assumed (CPFF, FFP or CPAF)?

AHRQ Response: Please use the date listed on page 2 of the RFP, under “Additional Information” (the date that appears as the anticipated award date for the RFP.) Assume a Cost plus Fixed Fee type task order.