AHRQ-19-10005_Solicitation_Questions_Responses.pdf

Healthcare Data Analytics and Statistical Products

AHRQ-19-10005

Responses to Proposal Questions January 17, 2019

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, or

2) the information is not available, or

3) it is dependent on the offeror’s proposed 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.

• A response to the question is provided - A response/answer is given if clarification is necessary, but the response does not require a revision to the RFP.

# Page Section Question 1 1 In order to provide a comprehensive proposal based on the responses to the questions, can the government grant an extension to February 15?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

2 1 The Request for Proposal sets out clearly the scope of work for a large and complex project. Given the long term incumbency of the current contractor, in order to allow non-incumbent offerors sufficient time to develop a comprehensive proposal and also incorporate the government’s responses to questions we respectively request that the due date for proposals be extended by 1 week to February 11, 2019.

No solicitation amendment necessary.

3 10 What Software Configuration Management Tool is being used today to catalogue data files, software, descriptions of content and histories?

Please see solicitation amendment.

4 What is the current infrastructure used to host the Software Configuration Management tool, to include server specifications and storage used to host all configuration items?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

5 11 A.1.1.4 The contract requires a file catalog to be maintained throughout the contract period. Upon award, would this be available from incumbent?

Yes.

6 12 Will the government provide the technical specifications for the current Secure FTP server used to transfer files?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

7 12 A.1.1.7 Must the proposed cloud provider be currently listed on FedRAMP.gov?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

8 12 A.1.1.7 Would AHRQ prefer a cloud-based data storage solution to a proprietary data storage system?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

9 13 A.1.1.7 We have identified two Privacy Impact Assessments for data systems being maintained under this contract. One of the systems is for the Data Processing Support System and the other system is for the Data Applications. Will the data processing environment require a separate ATO than the environment in which web tools (HCUPnet, MEPS Summary Tables HC, MPESnet HC, MEPS Summary Tables IC, MEPSnet IC, National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Reports and online tools) are hosted?

Please see solicitation amendment.

10 13 A.1.1.7 Will each web tool (i.e., HCUPnet, MEPS Summary Tables HC, MPESnet HC, MEPS Summary Tables IC, MEPSnet IC, National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Reports and online tools) require a separate ATO? How many total ATOs should contractors anticipate for this contract?

Please see the response to Question 9.

11 13 A.1.1.7 If a FedRAMP cloud solution is proposed, can the current licenses held by HHS (e.g., Oracle, SAS, Red Hat, SimpleMaps) be transferred for use with the cloud solution?

Please see the response to Question 13.

12 13 A.1.1.8 When does AHRQ expect for the transitioned system to be in Production and fully operational?

Please see solicitation amendment.

13 13 A.1.1.8 Will there be any government furnished equipment/licenses provided for this contract?

AHRQ Expects the offeror to provide all the necessary hardware/software and licenses to meet the requirements defined in the Statement of Work.

14 13 A.1.1.8 Does AHRQ anticipate an overlap in the Period of Performance (PoP) of the current contract and the PoP for this award? If so, what is the expected length of this overlap period?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

15 13 A.1.1.8 Will the incumbent be required to deliver all programs, derived files, source files, documentation, detailed documentation on configuration of operating systems, testing processes, configuration management documentation and tools developed for the AHRQ contracts?

Yes.

16 13 A.1.1.8 What are the transition plan requirements on the current contract for the incumbent?

The transition plan requirements of the current contract are similar to those in this requirement.

17 13 A.1.1.8 Does ARHQ expect to transition from the AHRQ Data Center?

18 13 A.1.1.8 In consideration of the required transition plan, are all the servers hosting the MEPS and HCUP data and systems co-located, or will data and systems have to be transferred from multiple data centers?

Please see solicitation amendment.

19 13 A.1.1.8 The RFP specifies the Oracle databases are in Oracle version 12c, which continues to be supported by Oracle but is outdated. Should the contractor budget for upgrades of this software (and other outdated software) as part of the Software Management task?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

20 13 A.1.1.8 In consideration of the required transition plan, in what form will the current MEPS and HCUP data and systems be transferred from the incumbent contractor(s)?

Please refer to Attachment 2.

21 13 A.1.1.8 What materials does AHRQ anticipate the contractor to transmit from the AHRQ Data Center for the transition?

Upon award equipment and materials will be made fully available to successor.

22 A.1.1.8 What level of support will the incumbent be able to provide during the 90-day transition plan?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

23 A.1.1.8 What level of access will the incumbent be able to provide during the 90-day transition plan?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

24 A.1.1.8 Will the incumbent provide all existing security documentation for the existing data system and web applications?

Yes.

25 A.1.2.2 Is it AHRQ’s intent that “seven programmers working full-time” are assigned exclusively to the tasks listed in section A.1.2.2?

Please see solicitation amendment.

26 A.1.2.2 Does the proposal task A.1.2.2 - #7 (page 15) include survey sample design for MEPS? Or is the Contractor required to just focus on further data processing (cleaning, matching, imputation, and analysis etc.)? Part of the SOW required is to annually produce the MEPS-NHIS link file - which should be created when drawing a random sample from NHIS sample frame.

Please see solicitation amendment.

27 15 A.1.2.2 Please describe any data collection efforts that expected as part of this contract.

28 15 A.1.2.2 Does this contract involve the development of new survey designs?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

29 15 A.1.2.2 Will AHRQ make available the current microsimulation programs to the winning contractor?

Please see the response to Question 34.

30 15 A.1.2.2 For Item 6, please provide an example or additional information concerning, "developing and testing data collection methodologies" under this task.

No solicitation amendment necessary.

31 15 A.1.2.2 For Item 7, please provide an example or additional information concerning, "developing survey design plans -Instrument design work shall include focus group and cognitive research efforts".

No solicitation amendment necessary.

32 15 A.1.2.2 The SOW states that the contractor shall be responsible for “Conducting analysis for microsimulation modeling projects using data from MEPS, NHIS, CPS, MCBS and with detailed insurance coverage information;”

Does “analysis for microsimulation projects” mean that the offeror will conduct analysis to be incorporated into a model, or will the offeror also be using and updating the model itself?

Please see solicitation amendment.

33 15 A.1.2.2 Related to microsimulation modeling projects, how much of this analysis would involve new model capabilities and enhancements, versus regular updates to existing model parameters using newer data?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

34 16 A.1.2.3 Will the incumbent provide programs and related tools that have conducted prior versions of file creation to AHRQ and will those in turn be provided to the contractor?

Yes.

35 16

Will required fingerprinting for background checks be completed at no cost to the contractor?

36 18 A.1.3 The solicitation references AHRQ Data Center “virtual seats”. We understand that this requirement is different than providing researchers who have previously visited the Data Center with the ability to submit their code to the Data Center from afar for processing. Does the AHRQ Data Center already have both the technical ability to provision virtual seats (i.e. providing researchers with remote access to your Data Center) and the policies and procedures in place to govern their use or will the contractor be expected to develop the technology and processes needed for virtual seats?

The contractor will be expected to develop the technology and processes needed for virtual seats.

37 18 A.1.3 Can the government provide the number of staff currently supporting these on-site services?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

38 18 A.1.3 Can the government provide how many staff are providing each of the services being requested (e.g., one Librarian, two programing analysts, etc.)?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

39 18 A.1.3 Can the government provide the average number of on-site file and data transfers, accounts and access requests are requested on a monthly basis?

On average 200 on-site file and data transfers are performed per month. Account and access requests are performed by data users once their Data Center application has been approved.

40 18 A.1.3 Are these PC's and LAN referenced in this section owned and managed by AHRQ and reside inside AHRQ's data center location?

Please see solicitation amendment.

41 18 A.1.3 If the PCs and LAN are not owned by AHRQ, can the government provide the specification for the PC's and LAN infrastructure needed?

Please see the response to Question 40.

42 18 A.1.3 Are these PC's used by Contractors, AHRQ and outside researchers to perform analysis and support activities ?

Please see the response to Question 40.

43 18 A.1.3 Can the government provide the allocated storage space for basic and advanced virtual seats for users to perform their analytical processing requests?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

44 18 A.1.3 Can the government provide a list of current applications and infrastructure that resides in the AHRQ Data Center that the Contractor would be responsible for providing under this solicitation?

45 18 A.1.3 Can the govement clarify what data physically resides in the AHRQ data center?

46 18 A.1.3 Can the government clarify/describe what is meant by Operations of Data Center and secure local area network data environment ?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

47 19 A.1.3 Does the client own all of the existing software licenses (e.g. Oracle) and can they be transferred to the contractor, or should the license cost be included in the budget?

Please see the response to Question 13.

48 19 A.1.3 Does the AHRQ Data Center currently have the functionality to provide "virtual seats"?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

49 19 A.1.3 What is the storage capacity of the AHRQ Data Center and how much storage is currently occupied?

Please see solicitation amendment.

50 20 A.1.4.1 The Technical Specifications Worksheet appears to only represent Production. Can the government provide the technical specifications for the existing Development and Testing environments?

Please refer to Attachment 2.

51 20

A.1.4.1 A.1.6.1

Will AHRQ permit MEPS, HCUPnet, NHQDR, etc. to be hosed on a FedRAMP cloud service?

Please see solicitation amendment.

52 Are there any software and/or AHRQ systems that will not be permitted to be hosted on a FedRAMP cloud service?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

53 Is AHRQ willing to consider alternative technologies such as MEAN?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

54 15

A.1.2.2 A.1.2.4 A.1.3 A.1.4.1

Does AHRQ have licenses for/use any specific software development IDE tool suites (e.g., Eclipse) or platforms (e.g., Atlassian)?

Please see the response to Question 13.

55 19

A.1.3 A.1.5.1

Does AHRQ have licenses for/use any specific software for helpdesk support?

Please see the response to Question 13.

56 20 Does AHRQ have licenses for/use any specific software for inventory control?

Please see the response to Question 13.

57 20 A.1.4.2 Related to the requirement of providing a development environment accessible to

AHRQ staff to facilitate updates, please describe the types of updates made by AHRQ staff. Are there existing review, testing and approval protocols followed by AHRQ staff?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

58 20 A.1.4.2 A requirement defined is that 2 enhancements are implemented per year (examples include the addition of new variables or new diagnosis and procedure classification schemes to selection menus; and the addition of color-coded map sets at the national, state, etc.). Is it the responsibility of the contractor to define enhancements or will this be provided by the COR? Is there an opportunity for the contractor to collaborate with the COR and users to identify new enhancements?

Please see solicitation amendment.

59 20

A.1.4 A.1.6.1

For on-going support and maintenance of tools and applications, are any task planning, testing or release management tools currently being used? If yes, please name the tools or services used.

No solicitation amendment necessary.

60 20

A.1.4 A.1.6.1

What are the mechanisms for updating and maintaining the applications (code base, CMS system)?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

61 20

A.1.4 A.1.6.1

How many environments currently exist under the contract (i.e. PROD, TEST, DEV)?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

62 20

A.1.4 A.1.6.1

Are there established review timelines or service level agreements (SLAs) for the COR approval process for web updates? There are many deliverables in the project and understanding the approval process would be helpful in developing a schedule and work plan.

Offerors can assume ten business day for response to deliverables; for web updates allow 48 hours.

63 20

A.1.4 A.1.6.1

Are existing monitoring, security and privacy tools that AHRQ has selected expected to be used in the future? What are the current tools being used?

Please see solicitation amendment.

64 20

A.1.4 A.1.6.1

Are there existing quality control protocols in place? If so, please provide a description.

No solicitation amendment necessary.

65 23 A.1.6.1 Does an existing schedule or protocol or standard exist for configuration management, quality audits and server/database backups?

Please see the response to Question 3.

66 24 A.1.6.1 Does AHRQ have licenses for/use any specific configuration management tools?

Please see the response to Question 13.

67 Technical Specifications Worksheet

Does AHRQ have licenses for/use any specific document management tools?

Please see the response to Question 13.

68 Technical Specifications Worksheet

Will the incumbent provide system level documentation that outlines how the functions and processes listed in technical specifications worksheet are configured and operated?

Yes.

69 Technical Specifications Worksheet

Are there currently any DevOps tools in place for source control, build management, development, testing, operational observability, etc., that can aid in the transition?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

70 Technical Specifications Worksheet

Are any containers or orchestration tools in place for any of applications listed?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

71 Technical Specifications Worksheet

In reference to "Storage Type," 5 out of those 7 systems uses VM Ware (Cloud) as Storage , is the entire system virtualized ? If yes, will images of the running system be provided?

Please see the response to Question 5.

72 27 Page 27 of the solicitation lists the different websites to be managed under this contract noting the size of data maintained as part of each site. Separately, Appendix 2 lists the database server storage requirement as 4.5TB. Are the size specifications on page 27 for the summary/aggregate data being made available through the site or are the source data being processed by the vendor? For instance, is 43TB the amount of HCUP identifiable source data that the contractor must maintain for processing or is it the amount of aggregate data underlying the HCUPNet website?

No solicitation amendment is necessary.

73 27 Are the majority of the files for the website supporting MEPS, HCUPNet, and NHQDR (~50 Terabytes) within the Oracle database or are they files that are in folders and on a file servers/NAS?

Please refer to Attachment 2.

74 27 What is the volume of data that are downloaded off the MEPS, HCUPNet, and NHQDR websites on a monthly basis?

75 Will the Government please outline the software resources (SAS, SPSS, SUDAAN, STATA, Tableau) that should be considered as transferable GFE versus those that should be procured by the Contractor as itemized as ODCs?

Please see the response to Question 11 and 13.

76 27 A.1.6 Can the government provide the technical specifications for both of these environments, servers, Operating System, memory, tools and software?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

77 27 A.1.6 Can the Government provide details on ADPSS and ADASS regarding data ingestion and integration of these systems?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

78 27 A.1.6 What are and how are ADPSS and ADASS connected and by what processes?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

79 27 A.1.6 Can the government provide the technical specifications for this environment, servers, Operating System, memory, tools and software?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

80 27 A.1.6 Can the government provide information on what the "General Project" environment is used for ?

Please see solicitation amendment.

81 A.1.6.2 How often do you anticipate that the HHS Interagency Work Group subject matter experts will meet each year, and how often do you anticipate that they will provide feedback to the NHQDR production contractor?

Please see solicitation amendment.

82 A.1.6.2 Are the HHS Interagency Work Group meetings held in-person or virtual?

Please see the response to Question 81.

83 A.1.6.2 Will the contractor be responsible for travel or honorariums for any members of the HHS Interagency Work Group subject matter experts or other external-HHS subject matter experts?

Please see the response to Question 81.

84 A.1.6.2 Will the contractor be responsible for facilitating the HHS Interagency Work Group Meetings?

Please see the response to Question 81.

85 Will the contractor be responsible for preparing materials related to the NHQDR for discussion at HHS Interagency Work Group Meetings?

Does AHRQ have licenses for/use any specific testing tools for automated code testing, 508/ADA compliance, data verification/validation, etc.?

Please see the response to Question 13.

87 3 Att. 3 Does AHRQ have licenses for/use any specific multi-factor authentication tools or will all personnel, including AHRQ-approved outside researchers, use PIV cards to access non-public facing services?

PIV cards are required to access non-public facing services.

88 Does AHRQ have an approved third-party software tools sellers list? If so, how can it be accessed?

AHRQ does not have or maintain an approved third-party software sellers list.

89 Will AHRQ cover the cost of tool/platform licenses in the event that AHRQ does not currently hold such licenses?

Please see the response to Question 13.

90 Is the use of open source software, other than CentOS, acceptable to AHRQ, assuming it is reviewed and approved by AHRQ?

Yes.

91 Are there any mandated industry standards (e.g., non-government policies and practices such as CMMI, ISO, IEEE) that were not reference in the RFQ that are mandated?

No solicitation response necessary.

92 Is this work currently being performed by a single contract or under multiple contracts?

Requirements of this RFP are currently being performed as part of contract HHSA290201400005C by Social and Scientific Systems, Inc. The original award (base + all options) value was $33,470,357.00; the base and exercised options value as of Modification Number 17 on 01/11/2019 is $32,870,105.65. The period of performance is 06/16/2014 – 06/15/2019.

93 Who is/are the current incumbent/s?

Please see the response to Question 92.

94 What is/are the current contract number/s?

Please see the response to Question 92.

95 When does/do the current contract/s expire?

Please see the response to Question 92.

96 What is the affect on contract award if the current partial shutdown continues for the next several weeks? (e.g. accessing NIST standards is not currently possible due to the shutdown)

NIST standards are currently available but not updated during the shutdown; use current version as posted.

97 Do you anticipate that the RFP due date will be extended if the partial shutdown continues?

There is no anticipated effect of the partial government shutdown on this solicitation.

98 The following links in the RFP do not work, preventing bidders, as they develop their proposal solution and proposal content, from accessing all of the procurement, programmatic, and technical information in the RFP.

a. Page 3: http://www.sam.gov

b. Page 14:

https://meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_stats/Pub_ProdResults_Details.jsp?

pt=M ethodology+Report&opt=2&id=1132

c. Page 22:

https://meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_stats/Pub_ProdResults_Details.jsp ?pt=Sta tistical+Brief&opt=2&id=1228

d. Page 22:

https://meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_stats/Pub_ProdResults_Details.jsp ?pt=Re search+Findings&opt=2&id=1222

e. Page 26:

https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/research/findings/nhqr dr/2017qdr-intro- methods.pdf

f. Page 41: https://www.cpars.csd.disa.mil

g. Page 49: https://www.acquisition.gov/far/

h. Page 53: https://www.acquisition.gov/far/

i. Page 70: http://www.arnet.gov/far/

j. Page 85: http://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/contract-policies-regulations/subcontractplan/index.html

Please see solicitation amendment.

99 62 K Under this requirement, it states that an offeror can go into the SAM system to prepare Section K – Representations and Certifications and include as part of the business proposal submission. Within this same requirement, a sample Section K is provided. Can AHRQ advise if we are to complete the form in the RFP and include that in the business proposal or if a printout of that which is certified as completed on SAM will satisfy this requirement?

Per the instructions in Section K, offerors must complete both the Representations and Certifications at SAM.gov and the Representations, Certifications and Other Statements of Offerors contained in the solicitation. Only K.1 through K.8 in the solicitation need to be included in the business proposal; the Government will also reference and use the information submitted at SAM.gov as part of its evaluation.

http://www.sam.gov/ https://meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_stats/Pub_ProdResults_Details.jsp?pt=Methodology%2BReport&opt=2&id=1132 https://meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_stats/Pub_ProdResults_Details.jsp?pt=Methodology%2BReport&opt=2&id=1132 https://meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_stats/Pub_ProdResults_Details.jsp?pt=Methodology%2BReport&opt=2&id=1132 https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/research/findings/nhqrdr/2017qdr-intro-%20methods.pdf https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/research/findings/nhqrdr/2017qdr-intro-%20methods.pdf https://www.cpars.csd.disa.mil/ https://www.acquisition.gov/far/ https://www.acquisition.gov/far/ http://www.arnet.gov/far/ http://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/contract-policies-regulations/subcontractplan/index.html http://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/contract-policies-regulations/subcontractplan/index.html

100 75 L.6 In Section L.6, General Instructions, on pages 75-76, are instructions on formatting including the information that a 12-point font is required for all text, with line spacing of 1.5 lines and margins of .75 of an inch. Although these are easily implemented in the technical and past performance volumes, we would ask that the business volume be exempted from these font, spacing, and margin instructions for two reasons. First, business volumes include budgets often derived from Excel workbooks. A 12-point font is unnecessarily large for a budget and the additional spacing created by 1.5 line spacing is similarly unnecessary. To apply these restrictions to a budget creates burden for both the offeror and the government reader. Second, business proposals frequently include scanned images of paper documents, such as NICRA letters. It’s not possible to make a scanned image to conform to such formatting instructions.

Finally, we would ask that the two technical appendices be excluded from these instructions. The HHS 508 Product Assessment Template is a government form that comes with its own formatting. Using a 12-point font and 1.5 line spacing on a resume will greatly reduce the amount of useful information available to the government on each resume.

The font size and formatting requirements apply to technical proposal only.

101 75 L.6 To facilitate the Government’s evaluation of charts, graphs and tables, we respectfully request that the Government change the font requirement from 12-point Times New Roman to 11-point Ariel family, which is a more readable sans serif font.

Please see the response to Question 100.

102 75 L.6 Will the Government consider revising the General Instructions (Section L6.b on page 75) to allow 10 pt. Arial font family for use on tables, graphics, charts and other graphics?

Please see the response to Question 100.

103 75 L.6 Will the Government allow for use of 10-pt font for graphics, tables and charts?

Please see the response to Question 100.

104 L.6 Will the Government allow for single-line spacing rather than 1.5 line spacing?

Please see the response to Question 100.

105 Will the Government allow for single-line spacing rather than 1.5 line spacing for charts and graphics?

Please see the response to Question 100.

106 L.6 Would the government consider using 10-point Times New Roman font for tables, charts and graphs?

Please see the response to Question 100.

107 75 To confirm, should all text within charts, graphs, and tables have a font no less than 12-point Times New Roman?

Please see the response to Question 100.

108 76 L.6 The guidance describes the submission of a printed Excel worksheet but not a specific requirement to submit an Excel file. Can AHRQ confirm this is required and, if so, should it be included as one of the files on the CDROM submission? Can AHRQ also confirm that this requirement is the same for submission of any subcontractor budgets?

An Excel spreadsheet should be included on the CDROM submission. This applies to prime and subcontractors.

109 76 Would the Government consider eliminating the requirement to submit paper copies of the proposal along with CDs and rather allow the offeror to send their proposal volumes electronically via email?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

110 78 May the items to be listed on the proposal cover page may be placed on a title page (immediately followed by the cover) instead?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

111 78 L.7 Since the cover page and table of contents (normally two pages in length) will not be evaluated, we respectfully request that they be excluded from the 75 page limit.

No solicitation amendment necessary.

112 79 Where in the Technical Discussion should responders include Task A.1.5? While Task A.1.5 is part of the SOW, it is not listed as part of the "outline" of the Technical Approach section on pp 79-80 of the RFP.

Please see solicitation amendment.

113 80 L.7 Can the government clarify if it is sufficient to provide an organizational chart and a staffing plan across all tasks and not necessarily provide this in the form of a PERT chart?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

114 80 L.7 In order to determine projects of similar size, we respectfully request that the Government provide bidders with the existing program’s FTEs.

No solicitation amendment necessary.

115 Can the Government provide any details regarding the current level of effort in support of the existing contract? In particular, can the government provide the number of full-time equivalent personnel (FTEs) and the respective levels of each?

116 L.7 Within these instructions, it states that the technical proposal shall address each of the items described on page 79 and be organized in that same manner. Can AHRQ advise if the budget shall also be arranged in this same order/manner or should offerors follow the task listing as it appears in the SOW?

Business proposals should follow the task structure of the Statement of Work.

117 L.7 The technical proposal instructions indicate that the offeror's technical discussion shall address the following items: (1) technical approach; (2) organizational/corporate experience; (3) personnel; and (4) facilities and equipment. Within item (1), should the offeror organize our technical approach according to the task list that is shown on pp. 79-80 or according to the task structure of the Statement of Work (RFP Section C)?

Technical proposals should follow the task structure of the Statement of Work. The task list in Section L.7 are areas of emphasis within the technical approach.

118 82 L.7.4 Are licenses provided to the Contractor under Government Furnished Software?

Please see the response to Question 13.

119 82 L.7.4 Can the government provide a list of all software used and license counts for each software product currently utilized?

Please see the response to Question 13.

120 The RFP asks the contractor to “Provide a signed agreement, e.g., a letter of commitment, between the offeror and any personnel other than current direct employees that includes dates of employment and specific tasks to be performed.”

a) Does the letter count towards the 75 page limit for the Technical volume?

b) Alternately, can the letter be placed in a separate appendix?

See solicitation amendment.

121 82 L.8 In the RFP, Section L.8 on page 82 states: “A list of no more than five (5) contracts completed for the offeror and each proposed major subcontractor during the past three years or currently in process that are similar in nature to the solicitation workscope.” Will the Government clarify that up to 5 contracts are permitted per prime contractor and for each proposed subcontractor? Or is it a total of 5 contracts is allowed regardless of the number of proposed subcontractors?

Please provide 5 contracts for the prime and 5 contracts for each subcontractor.

The information provided for the prime and all subcontractors is limited to 10 pages.

122 82 L.8 If there is a prime and one major subcontractor, are they allotted 5 past performances total or 5 past performances each (for a total of 10 past performances)?

Please see the response to Question 121.

123 82 L.8 In Section L.8, Past Performance Information, on page 82, is the instruction that each offeror and each proposed major subcontractor shall provide information on up to 5 current or prior contacts. In the same section, it notes that the past performance proposal part shall be limited to 10 pages. Is the intent of that instruction that each offeror and each major subcontractor can use 10 pages to provide information on 5 contracts, or is the entire volume limited to 10 pages independent of the number of subcontractors? We would request that each offeror be allotted 10 pages for itself and 10 pages for each of its subcontractors in order to provide appropriate information to support the government’s decision making.

Please see the response to Question 121.

124 82 L.8 Can the Government clarify if the limitation is a no more than 5 contracts for the entire submission or no more than 5 contracts for the prime and no more than 5 contract for each subcontractor (such that the total could be 10 contracts or more)?

Please see the response to Question 121.

125 82 L.8 The RFP makes reference to a “major subcontractor” and states that past performance information should be submitted for each proposed major subcontractor. Please define “major subcontractor” for the purposes of this requirement.

Major subcontractors are those performing a significant portion of the work or tasks that are critically important to successful completion of the work.

126 82 L.8 Please confirm that newly formed entities can use the experience of key personnel as a past performance.

No solicitation amendment necessary.

127 L.9 Commitments – this requirement does not clearly state if this requirement applies to proposed staff or projects in process/efforts proposed. If applicable to staff, can AHRQ advise if this only applies to key staff or all staff?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

128 83 L.9 For the non-optional tasks, can we use other labor categories besides those presented in the Section B table on page 6 (i.e., Sr. Programmer, Jr. Programmer, Analyst, Administrative Support)?

Yes.

129 83 L.9 Is it acceptable for subcontractors to submit T&M budgets based on CIO-SP3 small business schedule rates? If a proposed subcontractor uses approved CIO-SP3 rates in its budget, are salary increase policies, unloaded direct labor rates, payroll registers, and indirect cost rate agreements still required?

130 83 L9 Should cloud hosting and software licensing costs be included in the price proposal?

All anticipated costs incurred by the contractor should be included.

131 84 L9 To assist us with determining overall costs, can the government list those sfotware licenses that are available and can be transferred to the awardee?

Please see the response to Question 13.

132 84 L9 Is it acceptable for subcontractors to provide a sealed package to support their cost and pricing data similar to the detail provided for the prime contractor?

Sealed packages from subcontractors are acceptable.

133 84 L9 In accordance with FAR 15.403-1(b)(1), Certified Cost and Pricing Data is not required when prices agreed upon are based on adequate price competition. As this Solicitation is competitive, Certified Cost and Pricing Data is not applicable.

Will the Government please consider deleting the requirement?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

134 84 L9 As this is a cost plus fixed fee competitive soliciation, should a certificate of current cost and pricing data be required?

Please see the response to Question 133.

135 84 L9 Should ALL transition costs be included in cost estimates for task A1.1.8, so as to allow for a proper comparison with the incumbent?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

136 85 L9 The linked model small business subcontracting plan on p.85 is unavailable. To ensure all elements outlined are addressed, could AHRQ provide a revised link?

Please see solicitation amendment.

137 85 Will Government please clarify whether our small business subcontracting plan is based on Total Dollars to be subcontracted or Total contract value?

Please review the plan carefully. In general, the percentages in 2.b through 2.h are based on “Percentage of 2a” (“Total dollars planned to be subcontracted under this contract”).

138 88 M 1.1 For the 5th bullet in the list, please provide additional information for activities, "developing survey design plans".

No solicitation amendment necessary.

139 89 M 3.A Is it necessary that the Project Director have experience with, "multi-user survey databases" or is it sufficient that another proposed project leader have this experience?

140 90 M Does the evaluation criteria for Facilities and Equipment account for the use of a cloud service provider for the storage and transfer of confidential data?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

141 J This list includes a reference to an SF-LLL form. However, there are no instructions regarding its submission. Is this a required submission? If yes, is it required of both the offeror and partnering subcontractors?

The form is required of both prime and subcontractors. See solicitation amendment.

142 J Included under the list of attachments is a reference to Attachment A – Sample Format for Cost Proposal. Can AHRQ advise that so long as all of the pricing elements applicable to an offeror’s pricing best practices are included, that it doesn’t not need to adhere to this exact format and that it can be customized as needed?

Attachment A is a sample; offerors should provide a cost proposal in a similar format that adheres to all business proposal requirements.

143 Att. A Will the government allow the contractor to modify the format of the cost proposal sample included in attachment A to accommodate multiple pools and service centers?

Please see the response to Question 142.

144 Att. 2 Can the Government provide details on the man-hours of the manual dependencies associated with each table?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

145 Att. 2 Appendix 2 includes technical specifications for the HCUP Fast Stats tool which is hosted on HCUP Web Services (Page 3 of Appendix 2). The Privacy Impact Assessment for this system implies it is maintained by Truven Health Analytics.

While other web tools such as HCUPnet, MEPSnet, IDQNet, NHQRNet are listed in A.1.4.2 Web Tools and A.1.6 Technical Support and Production for National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Reports, HCUP Fast Stats is not listed as a site that the vendor must manage. Will the contractor be expected to maintain the HCUP Fast Stats web tool?

No solicitation amendment is necessary.

146 Will the Government plan for a contract start date that allows for adequate overlap with the current incumbent while transitioning-in? Are transition-out responsibilities within scope of the incumbent’s current contract?

147 Are there additional technical reference materials or Enterprise Architecture diagrams that the Government can share with industry? Specifically, core design documents that address the system architecture to encompass Integration, Security, Data, and Software components?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

148 What aspects of the current Data Center operations are physically located within the incumbent’s office space? If any, how should bidding firms account for replicating or transitioning-in a similar environment (hardware, software, infrastructure) to their facility?

Please see solicitation amendment.

149 Att. 2 It is noted that PSO data is hosted in an Oracle database alongside MEPS data.

Would the incoming contractor inherit responsibility for the PSO data as well?

Please see solicitation amendment.

150 For pricing and transition planning purposes, will the Government please confirm all contractor staff supporting this requirement will be located on-site at AHRQ?

All contractor staff are not required to be located on-site at AHRQ.

151 What extract, transform, load (ETL) tools and automated processes are currently used and set up today?

No solicitation amendment necessary.

152 If ETL processes require manual human intervention, can the government provide procedure manuals for manual steps?