Questions and Answers 7-28-2010 Qualitative research.doc

Questions and Answers

1. Will a solicitation document, to include an SF 1449 be issued with this solicitation?

YES

2. We are interested in the market for Colombia, is this “all or none” proposal, or can we bid only on one of the markets identified?

No, but with the understanding that are preference is for all markets. You can bid for only one market

3. Since Colombia is a Spanish speaking country and all surveys would be conducted in Spanish, will English copies of all data be required by customer, or just the reports?

Just the reports

4. The solicitation asks for four focus groups, but does not quantify the amount of sessions.

The number of sessions will be left up the contractor to determine that adequate data has been gathered.

5. The solicitation requests: “participants should be between the ages of 18 and 35; 92”.

This is a typographical error the ages are 18 and 35

6. The solicitation refers throughout to personas ‘with access to GPRS/EDGE”. Should we assume that this also includes access to news via WI-FI networks?

There is no assumption

7. It is assumed that this will be a FFP, lump sum proposal. Please advise if this is the case. Will there be an expectation for us to provide any pricing data or backup pricing data

The expectation that we are in a competitive environment and backup data or pricing data will not be necessary.

8. Is it possible for group of companies (consortium) to send a joint proposal? If so, what’s the conditions.

Yes, with the understanding that we will only contract with one company. It will be the responsibility of the consortium to manage payment.

9. It is possible for overseas companies to bid?

Yes, the company must be registered with the Central Contractor Registration (www.ccr.gov)

10. To what degree should the all-country summary report delivery strategic value to the client?

This is a new initiative there is a high degree strategic value in exploring how to include new avenues to persons of interest to received news in their county.

11. Given VOA’s commitment to new-media platforms, to what extend will the VOA corporate strategists take an interest in the results?

See answer to question 10.

12. When do you anticipate the focus groups to take place?

According to solicitation, projection of anticipated work will begin in later than 1 September 2010. Base on this assumption you would how long it would take to gather your data.

13. Is an incentive payment for participants allowable?

No

14. Do you have a template for pricing the work? If not, what is the level of detail (e.g. subcontractors expenses) do you want in the pricing?

No, we do have an template. If you use subcontractors that expenses should be incorporated in your final price. I have no need to know what you pay your subcontractors for this requirement.

15. The RFP leaves the impression that the technical proposal will include pricing.

The technical proposal should be separate from your price proposal.