AHRQ-18-10001_Responses_to_Offeror_Questions.pdf

AHRQ-18-10001

Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) FY 2018-2023

Responses to Offeror Questions

1. B.2.c – Estimated Cost and Fixed Fee - Should the total Cost and Fixed Fee for the Base Period include costs and fee for the Optional Tasks?

Answer: No, this should not include costs and fee for Optional Tasks.

2. B.3 – Option Costs - In the table that lists one row per Option Period, should the total Cost and Fixed Fee for the Option Periods include costs and fee for the Optional Tasks?

Answer: See response to Question #1.

3. B.3 – Option Costs - In the Option Tasks table (beginning on Page 6), there is a column for “Total Per Task” and “Max Task Total Per Year”. Can AHRQ clarify that the Max Task Total Per Year is the cost and fee for one instance of the task multiplied by “Max # of Times to Exercise”?

Answer: Yes, the Max Total Per year is the cost and fee for one instance of the task multiplied by “Max # of Times to Exercise.”

4. B.4.a – Items Unallowable Unless Otherwise Provided - There are a few items that offerors may need to provide under the resultant contract (e.g. – Consultant Fees, IT Hardware and Software, etc.). Are there circumstances these would be allowed?

Answer: No solicitation amendment necessary.

5. F.1 – Period of Performance - Can the government clarify the task-specific Option Periods listed in Section F.1? Do these reflect the intended duration of each exercised option? (e.g. – C.14.2)

6. L.6 - Is it correct to assume that requirements for 1.5 line spacing do not apply to tables and figures?

Answer: Please see solicitation amendment.

7. L.7 – Tech Proposal Instructions - The RFP states there is a 20 page limit for HHS 508 Product Assessment Templates. With multiple products including websites, webinars, publications, etc., it may be difficult to fit them into 20 pages. Will AHRQ allow a 20 page limit per product? Or is AHRQ looking for a VPAT for a specific product?

8. L.7 – Tech Proposal Instructions - Can AHRQ provide specifics on the types of electronic and information technology supplies that must be documented in the HHS 508 Product Assessment Template (VPAT)?

Answer: There are no IT supply deliverables in the RFP.

9. L.7.E – Management Plan - AHRQ states that all personnel, other than direct personnel, must complete a Letter of Commitment. Will AHRQ allow copies of Teaming Agreements or corporate Letters of Commitment in lieu of individual personnel letters?

Can these be excluded from the page limitations?

Answer: Letters of Commitment are included in the page limit. Please see solicitation amendment for further response to this question.

10. L.7.E – Management Plan - If AHRQ requires individual letters of commitment, can these be excluded from the page limitations? Additionally, where would AHRQ like us to include the commitment from subcontractors and consultants? Can this be placed into an Appendix?

Answer: See response to question #9.

11. L.7.E – Management Plan - For the Person Level Task Loading Chart, can AHRQ confirm they are looking for information at the highest task level (e.g. – C.4, C.5, etc.)?

12. L.7.E – Management Plan - Is it sufficient to include one person loading chart that lists hours by person for each major task combined across all years? Alternatively, is it acceptable to provide a person loading chart for the base year only?

13. L.7.E – Management Plan - The Person Level Task Loading Chart can be a significant number of pages due to the number of tasks and personnel being proposed. Can this be excluded from the page count? Can offerors add this as an additional Appendix to the proposal?

Answer: The person level task loading chart is included in the RFP page limit.

14. L.9A.1-Cost/Price Proposal - Is there a recommended Cost Proposal Structure that AHRQ requires to evaluate Overall Costs, Base costs and Optional Tasks by Project Year?

15. L.9.B – Small Business Subcontracting Plan - Are offerors permitted to submit a corporate Small Business Subcontracting Plan in lieu of a specific plan addressing this project?

Answer: The types of allowable plans are Individual plan, Master plan and

Commercial products/service plan. Please see the link provided in the RFP for additional information.

16. SOW C.7.12.2 - Top of page 30 of 123 - Should “Create State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Databases Files” be listed as a separate subsection C.7.12.2?

17. SOW C.7.13 Create Quarterly Inpatient Data Files - Subsection C.7.13.3 references a memo on quarterly inpatient and outpatient data. Should the work in this section be limited to inpatient data?

18. SOW C.24 – Maintain and Create Software Tools - In Table 5, will the contractor be required to update ICD-9-based Surgery Flags in each of the contract years.

19. SOW C.25.5 – Expand Fast Stats - Table 6 lists the HCUP Fast Stats paths that are to be updated each year (i.e., payer-related and opioid-related paths, and newly created paths under the base contract). The table does not list the current national path, which is described in Section 25.4. Does AHRQ intend for the existing national path in HCUP Fast Stats also to be updated annually?

20. SOW C.25.5 – Expand Fast Stats - The RFP states that “Once the year’s statistics are developed, each state’s statistics shall be delivered to the HCUP Partner…” Can AHRQ confirm that this refers only to the year’s newly developed path(s) and not also to the existing paths that are simply being updated with new data?

21. SOW C.25.6 – OPTIONAL TASK, Base Year and Option Years 1-4 – Development of New Fast Stats Reporting Path - The optional task identifies development of one or more additional new paths per year but does not mention updating/maintaining those paths in subsequent years. How should the offerors budget for updating/maintaining paths in subsequent years?

22. SOW C.26.1 – Write Statistical Briefs - The RFP states that “The Contractor shall develop up to 14 Statistical Briefs per year…” Should the budget reflect 14 Statistical Briefs?

23. SOW C.27.1 – Conduct Research Analyses - The RFP states that “In each year, the Contractor shall conduct up to three 12 month Targeted, Limited-Effort Research Projects.” Should the budget reflect three Limited 12-Month studies will be conducted?