Amendment_0001_Sol_DTNH22-14-R-00027_(Signed).pdf

DTNH22-14-R-00027

Amendment 0001

Title: Characteristics and Predictors of Occasional Seat Belt use Using SHRP2 Data

1. Reference Section A, Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items – This Section is being revised to extend the cut-off date for proposals. Therefore, the solicitation due date for receipt of proposals is changed from Thursday, July 3, 2014 at 10:00 AM ET to Thursday, July 10, 2014 at

10:00 AM ET.

2. Reference Section L.5 Proposal Questions and Delivery- This Section is revised to incorporate response to questions submitted by the offeror(s). Therefore, offeror(s) questions are in Bold and

NHTSA answers below the questions in Blue.

Question 1:As the SHRP 2 NDS is a “big data” dataset, there is a unique opportunity to analyze and model a much larger dataset than ever before in safety analysis. The objective of the SHRP

2 NDS was to provide the added value of being able to look at many more potential influences on driver performance and safety than has been possible in the past. Given the size of big data sets, a different approach to analysis is necessary to take full advantage of the data. The use of big data analytics would allow for the analysis of the entire NDS dataset (utilizing open source statistical software and on-demand cloud computing services) without the need for sampling, and can be done at a cost equivalent to that of traditional methods. Would NHTSA consider an approach that analyzes the data holistically (as opposed to samples of data)?

Answer 1: The approach and tasks provided in the RFP are required. However, those Offerors who may wish to discuss alternate approaches within their technical proposals are cautioned not to exceeding the 25 page limit.

Question 2: Is there a data dictionary for SHRP2 database so I can specify what data channels that I need to get from VTTI?

Answer 2: Please refer to the links provided in the RFP. The requested information is available through the links.

Question 3: Do I need find VTTI staff directly to discuss about the data sharing? Or you already have specified VTTI staff who I can communicate with?

Answer 3: Please refer to the links provided in the RFP. The requested information is available through the links.

Question 4: Is there a budget limit for this RFP? I wonder if VTTI is also included in the vendor lists for this RFP, because I do no think anyone else can compete with VTTI in terms of budget numbers since they own the data (free data access /limited charge) inside of VTTI)?

Answer 4: All Offerors are to propose a cost that is fair and reasonable for the tasks outlined in the

RFP. Being that this is a full and open competitive solicitation, no one is prohibited from bidding.

Proposals received in response to this solicitation will be evaluated in accordance with the evaluation criteria listed in section M of the RFP. Any contract resulting from this solicitation will be awarded to that responsible offeror whose offer, conforming to the solicitation, will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. Thus, cost is not the sole deciding factor in selection.

Title: Characteristics and Predictors of Occasional Seat Belt use Using SHRP2 Data

Question 5: Is the text: “ALL LABOR CATEGORIES IN THE PRICE SCHEDULE IN

SECTION B.3” supposed to refer to "Section B.4" rather than "B.3". Section B.3 is definitions, while B.4 contains the Labor Categories?

Answer 5: Yes, section B.4 provides the labor categories and the text should read “ALL LABOR

CATEGORIES IN THE PRICE SCHEDULE IN SECTION B.4”.

Question 6: Pg. 53 (near top), text describing the proposal page limit (“Page Limit: 25…”). Is the text pertaining to resume length saying that journal citations can be included as part of a second resume page, or must citations fit within the one-page resume allocation?

Answer 6: The resume excluding citations is limited to one page. An additional single page is allowed for citations.

Question 7: We could not find a specific NHTSA addressee for the Past Performance

Questionnaires in the RFP, and therefore directed reviewers to send them to Ms. Tyson. Should they be sent elsewhere instead?

Answer 7: Any Past Performance Questionnaires that are completed on behalf of Offerors should be emailed to the NHTSAOAM@DOT.GOV proposal receipt inbox by the closing date of the RFP to the attention of Melissa Tyson, Contract Specialist and furthermore should also reference the solicitation number in the subject line of the email.

Question 8: Is VTTI permitted to submit an independent bid on this solicitation as a prime, since there is the appearance of an Organizational Conflict of Interest. Specifically, in order to provide NHTSA with complete cost information, we are required to share confidential information about our technical approach with VTTI to get an accurate and reliable cost estimate for data acquisition. Moreover, there is a general lack of transparency in the pricing provided by VTTI for data acquisition (i.e., only a single cost total with no labor break downs, etc.). How can we be certain that the same effort will be made by VTTI to minimize costs on our

SOW, as they could make on a request from VTTI?

Answer 8: Presently, anyone interested in accessing this data must work with VTTI for data acquisition. However, in order to request a cost estimate, Offerors only need to provide the minimal information that is generally necessary to propose a cost for data acquisition without divulging their entire strategy and approach. As previously stated, any contract resulting from this solicitation will be awarded to that responsible Offeror whose offer, conforming to the solicitation, will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered.

Question 9: If VTTI is permitted to bid, can NHTSA specify a fixed amount that all bidders should incorporate into their cost proposal for data acquisition from VTTI? This would permit all bidders to be equal with regard to the data acquisition costs?

Answer 9: See question 8 above: in order to request a cost estimate, Offerors only need to provide the minimal information that is generally necessary to propose a cost for data acquisition without divulging their entire strategy and approach. As previously stated, any contract resulting from this mailto:NHTSAOAM@DOT.GOV

Title: Characteristics and Predictors of Occasional Seat Belt use Using SHRP2 Data solicitation will be awarded to that responsible Offeror whose offer, conforming to the solicitation, will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered.

Question 10: We recognize the successful bidder may need to coordinate with and provide funding to VTTI to access required SHRP2 NDS data. With that in mind is VTTI excluded from bidding this RFP? Can you provide any guidance on the costs associated with access to

SHRP2 NDS data that will not available on the Insight SHRP2 data access website?

Answer 10: See question #4 this is a full and open competitive solicitation, and no one is prohibited from bidding. Information related to the process and costs of data acquisition can be found by clicking the links provided in the RFP.

Question 11: Can you provide any information on the expected start date of the contract?

Answer 11: The anticipated award date is presently projected to be in August 2014. The award date is the start of the project.

Question 12: I have a question regarding the three technical references that are requested in the past performance section of the technical proposal. I have identified the Attachment_J_2

Past Performance Questionnaire document and am seeking instruction as to how we’re to submit the responses. My assumption is that we fill out question 1 on that form and then we send to the contacts that we’re asking to provide the reference. Do they return the form to us with their responses and then we incorporate it into our proposal or do they send them directly to you? If they send them directly to you is there any special way they need to be marked and is it to your email address?

Answer 12: Yes. Offerors should contact those individuals providing reference information about any identified projects to have them submit that information directly to NHTSA. Any Past

Performance Questionnaires that are completed on behalf of Offerors should be emailed to the

NHTSAOAM@DOT.GOV proposal receipt inbox by the closing date of the RFP to the attention of

Melissa Tyson, Contract Specialist, and should reference the solicitation number in the subject line of the email.

(End of Amendment)