DFOP0016575 Bidding Conference Questions - For Posting.docx

DFOP0016575 Funding Opportunity Bidding Conference Notes June 18, 2024, 9:30am ET Prepared Opening Remarks:

· Overview of application requirements

· Phased Project:

· Phase I Assess

· Phase II Implement

· The Phase II proposal will be to demonstrate the capabilities of the firm. We understand that the actual implementation of Phase II may be adjusted from what is proposed based on the findings of Phase I.

· Pilot for follow on awards

· NDF cannot determine whether there will be follow on awards at this time, but the possibility for future Federal Assistance Awards or contracts is likely. The recommendations made in Phase I that are outside the scope of Phase II may be implemented by a difference vehicle. In particular, any recommendations mentioned in Phase I, part 3.

· 6 Application Sections

· Section 2 has a 14-page limit and Section 5 has a 6-page limit. The rest do not.

· The budget and timeline have a template that can be found on the solicitation page.

· No supplemental information.

· Budget: There is no recommended split between Phase I and II. The applicant should review the solicitation requirements and propose a project that is best suited for your capabilities.

· Systems Engineer: The key personnel requirement for a systems engineer could be, but is not limited to, a SME that advises the PM on the network optimization or how various components of a laboratory system interact.

· Spanish Requirements: The applicant must demonstrate experience and competency in Spanish. We would prefer at least one key personnel to be fluent in Spanish. Key personnel resumes should note any past professional, educational, or personal experience that demonstrate high Spanish proficiency, however, personnel are not required to submit formal certification of proficiency.

· Consolidated Responses to Submitted Questions

· Systems Engineering: This project is not about individual labs and ensuring that selected ones have sufficient BS/BS, cyber, or comms strategies, though that may be a part of it. This is about the network as a whole and how various components interact with one another. We want to identify and mitigate any proliferation risks that have evolved since the pandemic and ensure the laboratory network is well placed to expand and contract in response to future biological events. To do so requires understanding a complex system with many sub-systems that aren’t necessarily always connected with each other. The systems engineering approach will ideally capture the forest part of the problem rather than the trees.

· Scoping: We acknowledge that mapping and optimizing the laboratory network of every biological laboratory in an entire country is out of the scope and budget for this award. The implementer should suggest a subset of the laboratory network which they are most capable of mapping. We will assess the subset of laboratories suggested in the proposals with how capable the applicant is as a company, their connections within Chile, and how thoughtful they are towards the nonproliferation mission of the NDF. We will rely on the implementer to research and suggest the extent of the network to be mapped including the number, size, types and locations of the labs. The final selections will be decided by the NDF.

· Site Assessments: Site assessments will likely be needed to inform Phase II. However, as this proposal is looking at network optimization, assessments at all sites is likely out of the budget and scope of this proposal. The implementer will work with the NDF and the Government of Chile to gain access to sites. Any existing relationships, MOUs, or experience the applicant has with the Government of Chile will strengthen their proposal.

· Deliverables:

· The amount of training vs upgrades will be based upon the results of Phase I and the capabilities of the applicant. We anticipate that both types of deliverables will be required.

· Any training associated with this award will likely not primarily be standard biosafety or biosecurity training. Training should focus on strengthening the network which may include communication, cybersecurity, supply chain, or others, but will depend upon the results of Phase I. All training should be tailored to the unique requirements of Chile.

· We do not have a specific vision for the mapping deliverable and look forward to proposed solutions.

· Construction: Though we are not requiring construction expertise or execution in this proposal, we will assess the firm’s capability to make appropriate recommendations for the below excerpt of the solicitation:

· Quote, pg 5: the implementer may identify facilities that are no longer necessary to maintain biosecurity in Chile and that, due to lack of resources, maintenance, or training, or for any other reason, now present a significant risk of accidental or deliberate HCP release. If such facilities are identified, the implementer shall present these findings to the USG and GoC along with recommendations regarding the downgrade, decommission, and/or deconstruction of laboratories and/or their components, and/or pathogen consolidation and decontamination.

Audience Questions:

Q: Does NDF see downgrading/decommissioning as an unlikely outcome, or should offerors include that contingency in their proposals?

A: Offerors do not need to include plans for decomissioning and deconstruction in their proposals but are welcome to do so. NDF is aware that some firms may be well equipped to conduct Phase I and Phase II activities but may not have the ability to carry out deconstruction. NDF will favor proposals that meet the objectives laid out in the NOFO. If recommendations made in Phase I are outside of the scope of Phase II, they may be implemented by a different vehicle. However, NDF cannot make a promise of follow on funding at this time.

Q: How will you evaluate Lowest Price Technical Acceptable if we won’t know what will be required in Phase II until the completion of Phase I?

A: We understand that the upgrades for Phase II will be an estimation. Offerors can use their response to Phase II to demonstrate their capabilities across the cybersecurity, biosecurity, and supply chain optimization, and to provide cost estimation for various capabilities. Proposals will be weighed against listed evaluation criteria, of which budget is only one factor.

Q: Are implementers responsible for both the assessment and the physical implementation of recommendation?

A: Yes, implementers would be responsible for the implementation of recommendations, with the understanding that some recommendations may fall outside of the scope of this project and require a different funding vehicle. Examples of implementation within the scope of this project could include the purchase and installation of software, the upgrade of physical or biosecurity equipment, such as freezers or pathogen inventory systems, or the creation of training material and training of participants.

Q: Will Phase I and Phase II be conducted under separate competitions? How many awards does NDF expect to make?

A: NDF expects to make one award for the completion of both Phase I and Phase II. NDF expects that having the same firm conduct Phase I and Phase II will improve project efficiency and promote higher continuity of experience, understanding, and expertise throughout the life of the project.

Q: What role will the implementer play in identifying Chilean, US, and global stakeholders? Will the NDF play a role in encouraging stakeholder participation?

A: NDF prefers proposals that demonstrate an offeror’s ability to access stakeholder networks in Chile, however, engagement of stakeholders will be a collaborative effort between NDF and the implementer. NDF will leverage its existing connections within the Government of Chile and make introductions as appropriate but will expect the implementor to lead in efforts of participant recruitment.

SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS

SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS

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