AHRQ-16-10011_Solicitation_Questions_Responses.docx

Support to Implement Increased Transparency of the Processes of the USPSTF

AHRQ-16-10011

Responses to Proposal Questions March 10, 2016

Thank you for your interest in this Request for Proposal (RFP). Below is a key to the responses to the questions found on the following pages:

· “No solicitation amendment necessary” – This response is given when 1) the requirements are clearly articulated in the solicitation to the maximum extent possible, 2) the information is not available or 3) dependent on approach.

· “Please see solicitation amendment” – This response is given if the response to the question affects a revision to the RFP. Please see the amended RFP posted to Federal Business Opportunities.

· “This question is unclear” – This response is given if the question was not clear or if AHRQ did not understand the question being asked.

· A response to the question is provided - A response/answer is given if clarification is necessary, but the response does not require an amendment to the RFP.

1. Section A, Solicitation Form (page 2) states: “the U.S. Postal Service’s ‘Express Mail” does not deliver to our Rockville, Maryland Address. Please do not use this means of delivery for proposal submission.”

Can the Government confirm that submitting the proposal via FedEx is an acceptable means of delivery?

FedEx is acceptable.

2. Section B.4, Items unallowable unless otherwise provided (page 5):

B.4 a. (10) – Consultant fees: If consultants are proposed in response to the solicitation, and the proposal is accepted, will the consultant fees be allowable?

Yes, subcontract and consultant fees determined to be fair and reasonable will be incorporated into the resultant contract.

3. Section C, Description/Specification/Work Statement (page 8) states: “Develop tables for 30 – 45 of the public comments received in response to USPSTF research plans, draft evidence reports and draft recommendation statements postings each year for use by Principal Investigators at Evidence-based Practice Centers, Task Force and AHRQ staff.”

Can the Government clarify if this should read “Develop tables of public comments received in response to 30-45 USPSTF research plans, draft evidence reports, and draft recommendation statements…”?

Please see solicitation amendment.

4. Section F.2, Deliverable Schedule (page 25). For Subtask 1.2 – Submit Quarterly Progress Report deliverable, the due date in the deliverable schedule reads “no later than 15 business days from the end of the previous quarter.” On page 9, Subtask 1.2, it reads “Quarterly progress reports will be submitted in electronic format to the COR within ten (10) days after the end of the quarter being reported.”

Can the Government clarify the correct due date?

Please see solicitation amendment.

5. Section F.2, Deliverable Schedule (page 27) states: “The Contracting Officer shall also receive a copy of the manuscript, if required.”

Can the Government clarify what manuscript this is in reference to?

Please see solicitation amendment.

6. Section H.9, Security and Privacy Requirements, Subsections 6 and 8 (pages 38-40). What security authorization should the contractor assume in the cost estimate? (i.e. low, moderate, etc.)

Please see solicitation amendment.

7. Section A (page 1) - States this will be a "Cost plus fixed fee” contract, yet Part II, Contract Clauses contains FAR 52.216-11 Cost Contract – No Fee (pg. 49).

Will the Government please clarify how FAR 52.216-11 applies?

See note above the clause table in Section I.

8. Section L.6, General Instructions, Subsection b (page 72) reads: “Proposals shall be typewritten, reproduced on letter sized paper with no less than a 11 point font, double-spaced (lists of deliverables, person loading charts, and similar materials need not be double-spaced, so long as they are legible).”

Can the Government confirm that “similar materials” includes tables and textboxes?

Yes.

9. Section L.6, General Instructions, Subsection b (page 72). Should the hardcopy submissions be printed single or double sided?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

10. Section L.6, General Instructions, Subsection b (page 72). Should the electronic files on the CD ROM be Word or PDF files?

Technical – Word; Business - Excel

11. How many FTE’s are required for this work?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

12. Is there an incumbent and if so, who is the incumbent American Institutes of Research