Questions_and_Answers_for_RFQ_DOL-OPS-14-Q-00031.docx

Questions and Answers

RFQ DOL-OPS-14-Q-00031

1. Are Task Orders included in 90 page count? If not, what are page limits for the Task Orders?

Technical proposals responding to the sample task orders shall be included in the 90 page count.

2. Page D-80 indicates that there are three volumes that need to be submitted. Page E-2 indicates that there are four volumes that need to be submitted. Please indicate which one is correct.

Page D-80.

3. Page D-80 indicates that there should be one original, three copies, and one electronic version. Page E-2 indicates that there should be one original, four copies, and two CDs for the technical and one original, one copy, and one CD for the Past Performance, Price, and Solicitation, Offer and Award Documents and Certifications/Representations. Please indicate which one is correct.

Page D-80.

4. Page D-6 states that at least three out of five sample task order proposals need to be submitted. Page E-2 states that four out of five sample task order proposals need to be submitted. Please indicate which one is correct.

Submissions should respond to at least three of the five sample task orders.

5. While the instructions on page D-80 and the table on E-2 indicate three volumes (Technical, Past Performance and Price) are required, there is also a mention of a Volume IV (Solicitation, Offer and Award Documents and Certifications/Representations) in paragraph e on page E-2. Are we required to submit Volume IV, and if so, what should be contained in this volume?

Submissions should not include a Volume IV.

6. The SF1449 lists labor categories and hours for each of the project years. This list differs from the Labor Hour Rate tables shown on pages B-1 and B-2 – many of the labor categories are different, and for those that are the same, the estimated hours are different from those shown on the SF1449. Which of these lists should we utilize in the proposal?

Utilize the lists on pages B-1 and B-2.

7. If the list on the SF1449 is correct, are bidders required to complete and submit this form by inserting the rates and total amounts for each of these categories on the form, based on the hours shown?

Not applicable. Bidders are not required to complete and submit this form.

8. Page E-7 has the following:

VOLUME III: PRICE

The Quote shall provide, for each of the Sample Task Orders:

a) A total payment amount for the Sample Task Order, and

b) Payment amounts for each of the deliverables listed in Schedule of Deliverables for the Sample Task Orders below.

The sum total of payment amounts for deliverables in the table (b) should equal the total payment amount for the contract (a).

Please confirm that Schedule B.2 is also required to be submitted with the Price Volume.

Yes, the Price Volume must include Schedule B.2 as well.

9. For sample tasks 2 and 4, can we propose original data collection? Even though it would then require PRA Clearance which may delay the task order timeline?

Technical proposals responding to Sample Task Orders 2 and 4 should only propose work that can realistically be accomplished in twelve months.

10. May organizations that were awarded contracts under last year’s IDIQ solicitation, “Economic and Statistical Studies Related to Employer-Provided Benefit Plans,” bid on this IDIQ? How does the government plan to distinguish awards granted under each contract? Will awards granted under this contract be more model focused?

Yes, organizations that were awarded other contracts previously may bid on this IDIQ.

In general, last year’s IDIQ solicitation has a greater emphasis on health insurance topics, while this year’s IDIQ solicitation focuses more on pension topics. Both IDIQ solicitations are comprehensive, however, and can include Task Orders covering any topic related to employer-provided benefits.

Awards granted under this contract will not necessarily be model focused. One or more Task Orders may involve a great deal of modeling work, but many of the other Task Orders may not focus on modeling.

11. Would the government consider a two-week extension of the proposal submission deadline?

No.