Vendor_Q A.pdf

Questions & Answers

D15PS00317 Workplace Conflict Management Services

August 7, 2015

# Vendor Questions Answers

1 I operate a small executive coaching business. Is that the type of business DOI is looking for through this solicitation?

DOI is seeking a Contractor that will manage a national network of practitioners—that is, practitioners that practice in all of the fields covered by the PWS. Importantly, this will entail the ability to recruit and identify talent—through subcontracting or through direct employment, in mediation, coaching, organizational development, change management, facilitation, and other conflict management fields. The person in this role would need to demonstrate substantive knowledge and experience in these fields and is well as substantive knowledge and experience in the role of developing, sustaining, and managing such a practitioner network, including the administrative and the substantive aspects associated with the network.

2 Goose

Creek

Consulting

In re: C.2.1. (3) lists a requirement for coaches to be

International Coach Federation certified. In addition, the solicitation breaks the tiers of coach labor categories down by ICF credential. Given the limitations on the number of ICF coaches with significant federal experience, would the government consider replacing this requirement with a requirement that the coach be certified by a nationally recognized coaching program and that the labor categories be based on years of experience in the federal sector?

No, the government will not consider replacing this requirement in this manner.

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In C.2.4., the successful offeror is requested to provide personnel who have “foreign language ability and cultural sensitivities.” Could the Government provide additional information on this requirement, particularly the foreign language abilities necessary for successful performance?

This requirement is for situations in which the Department of the Interior might need someone who speaks a foreign language to serve in the role of one of the labor categories in the contract.

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In C.2.5., there is a requirement for providing assistance locating, retaining and managing subject matter experts from other fields. What other fields does the Government contemplate needing subject matter experts from?

Subject Matter Experts would have specific knowledge of the specific discipline covered by the PWS.

August 7, 2015

# Vendor Questions Answers

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Consulting

In C.4.3 and C.4.4., the Government references “Conflict

Coach” and “Executive/Leadership Coach” as labor category definitions. How will the services provided by the Conflict Coaches and the Executive/Leadership

Coaches be defined and differentiated? For example, will the conflict coaches be working with employees who are not leaders or executives?

Conflict Coaches typically focus on a particular conflict between individuals. Executive and leadership coaches coach individuals through the broad spectrum of leadership competencies, which might include conflict.

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Re: C.5.1., since a QASP is a Government-developed surveillance process for performance-based contracting, would the Government provide additional information on the performance standards in terms of quality, quantity and timeliness?

The government expects its contractors to be punctual, both in terms of showing up on time, and in terms of submitting products in accordance with deadlines in the contract. In addition, the quality of service is expected to be excellent under this contract.

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How many employees does the Government anticipate being coached under the program?

We anticipate that a minimum of 25-40 individuals will receive coaching in any given year.

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How many training events does the Government anticipate under the program?

We anticipate 5-10 training events in any given year under this contract.

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Is this a new requirement? If it is not, who is/are the incumbent(s)?If it is not, who is/are the incumbent(s)?

The incumbent is Carole Houk International (CHI), 2400

Garnett Drive, Alexandria, VA 22311-4906, a Woman Owned

Small Business (WOSB).

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In Attachment J-2, the Government lists groups of metropolitan areas. The Washington, D.C. metropolitan area is not on the list. Does it fit within the “Rest of the

U.S.” category or should it be included on one of the other lists?

We will amend Attachment J-2 Geographical Labor Rates to include the Washington, DC metropolitan area, as well as, Miami, FL, and Minneapolis, MN.

August 7, 2015

# Vendor Questions Answers

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Creek

Consulting

In L.13, the Government states that objections can be submitted as a part of the Assumptions, Conditions or

Exceptions section, but that objections submitted in conjunction with the proposal may result in the offer being non-compliant.

This is not a question.

11 Superb

Speakers and

Trainers

In C.3.4 Task 3 - Training / Curriculum Development.

This should remain the property of the contractor -intellectual property. Nowhere in this RFP does it say what belongs to whom.

This is not a question.

12 Superb

Speakers and

Trainers

B.8.2 - Please explain "Travel Time shall be compensated at a rate of 25% of the labor rate...?" This is very specifically different than most travel statements. Please explain further as most travel is per diem rates for actual costs?

There is a difference between reimbursement for travel expenses and compensation for time spent travelling. This language refers to compensation for time spent travelling, in limited instances, at the discretion of DOI.

13 Superb

Speakers and

Trainers

What does "NTE amount mean please?

NTE means Not-to-Exceed

14 Superb

Speakers and

Trainers

C.2.2 - Does the requirement for a Washington DC office stand as a requirement without additional fees from this contract? Would an office in Virginia or another nearby area work?

The requirement for a Washington DC metropolitan area office is redefined in C.2.2 as follows. “The Contractor shall maintain a Washington, D.C. metropolitan area office at no additional cost to the Government, that is, the Contractor shall maintain an office close enough to Washington, D.C., so that the Contractor can attend regular meetings and conferences with DOI CADR staff in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area on short notice without incurring Travel expenses. Such offices can be established immediately after award of the contract.”

August 7, 2015

# Vendor Questions Answers

15 Superb

Speakers and

Trainers

C 2.5 - Please further define "the following as ancillary" will these be included in the fees paid on this contract?

Yes-ancillary services will be compensated at hourly rates.

16 M

Powered

Strategies, Inc.

The qualifications for a Past Performance to be considered on page 78 of the solicitation states that Past

Performances shall “have at least one year of performance history”. We anticipate that individual task orders on this contract are likely to be short-term in nature. Given that, would be it be considered acceptable to submit references to work performed within the last three years, but which had short-term delivery windows

(less than one year), provided they were similar in scope and delivery to anticipated task orders? Especially past performances which align closely to Sample Task

Orders?

Yes. It would be considered acceptable to submit references to work performed within the last three years, but which had short-term delivery windows (less than one year), provided they were similar in scope and delivery to the requirement described in the PWS.

17 The

Mediation

Group

Re: C.2.2 Contractor Offices - What is meant by

Washington, DC "metropolitan area office" - are offices in VA/MD acceptable?

See Question 14.

18 The

Mediation

Group

Re: C.2.2 Contractor Offices - Does the Contractor need to have existing office/presence in Washington DC metro area or can one be established upon award of contract?

Offices can be established immediately after award of the contract. The solicitation will be amended accordingly.

See Question 14.

19 The

Mediation

Group

Work Volume - Are reports or other information available to show the volume of mediation, facilitation, training or other services that DOI has in a typical year?

We anticipate the following labor hour breakdown by labor category based on past experience: 30% for mediation, 25 % for Organizational Development/Change Management, 20 % for facilitation/Situation Assessments,15 % for coaching, 5% for training, and 5% for other.

August 7, 2015

# Vendor Questions Answers

20 The

Mediation

Group

Technical and Price Quote Samples. In providing responses to sample quote requests, is it permissible for

Contractor to provide a time and cost 'range' rather than definitive amounts given number of participants, etc. may vary?

Yes

21 TI

Verbatim

Consulting

Quick question regarding the referenced RFP. Is there an incumbent today or is this a new requirement?

There is an incumbent. See question #9.