20210224 Professional Development Courses Qs and As.pdf

Professional Development Courses Q&A’s

1. There is a BPA dollar limit of $200,000, is that per-year/base year or for the entire life of the BPA? Also, is that per BPA or cumulative of all individual BPAs put together?

Answer: The dollar limitation of $200,000 is for the life of the agreement, or if it runs out before the 5 year term. This limitation will be provided for each BPA and not cumulative between all BPAs.

2. You are using an LPTA evaluation. Because of the unique way you are soliciting (no set courses to quote) how will you be making a determination of LPTA? I ask because not all courses will be the same and with no set courses to define – just broad topics to address – I would like to know how you intend to evaluate all proposals fairly?

Answer: If the courses do not follow the requirements of leadership, followership, resiliency, diversity and inclusion (with a military or leadership focus) or change management, they are not “technically” acceptable. This is not a LPTA source selection and trade-offs will not be considered. Government will make the selection of vendors based on the list of courses meeting the requirements in the solicitation and price. One factor does not outweigh the other. If the courses provided meet the one of the factors listed above, and prices are fair and reasonable, it will be considered as one of the agreements.

3. Section 880 of the 2019 NDAA required avoidance of LPTA as source selection criteria for knowledge-based services. Professional development training is not a commodity and there is a great variance in factors that could provide value or benefit. Will the government consider using trade-off source selection criteria?

Answer: This is not an LPTA source selection and trade-offs will not be considered. Government will make the selection of vendors based on the list of courses meeting the requirements in the solicitation and price. One factor does not outweigh the other.

4. Will the government amend the solicitation to include technical acceptability of at least three past performance contracts of similar scope and services to this solicitation?

Answer: This requirement is not considered a source selection. Past performance is not required for the requirement. Please refer to the solicitation for BPA requirements to include maximum dollar limitation.

5. Will the government consider adding staff criteria to the evaluation? For example, instructors must have at least three years instructing the course and a masters in a relevant field to be considered technically acceptable?

Answer: Please see PWS: “4.3 Qualification Requirements. The contractor and/or its employees shall be certified in the area of discipline by an accredited agency for the course they intend to facilitate.”

6. Was there a previous contract to this?

Answer: This is a new requirement.

7. Our subject matter expertise is in program development, NOT a specific discipline, industry, or line of work. We work in partnership with our client’s and their subject matter experts to develop the programs. As such, we are not certified in any area of discipline. Are we able to partner with USAF subject matter experts (SMEs) in the five leadership training topics to assist in the development of both online and facilitated course content and delivery?

Answer: The facilitators must show some sort of certification that they are qualified to facilitate the specific training course. We are not requesting a proposal, but a price list of courses that satisfies the PWS.

8. What time period are you soliciting for in the RFP?

Answer: This is not a request for proposal, it is a request for quote. March 1st is the closing date. The posting will also identify that the blanket purchase agreement will be for 5 years with a start date of 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2026 or until the maximum limitation runs out.

9. Are you seeking a course list and associated costs per course? Or a comprehensive proposal with an 'up to' contractor cost? What is the maximum amount of proposal?

Answer: Yes, we are seeking a list of the courses that vendors offer that are in accordance with the solicitation. A comprehensive proposal is not necessary. Please see the requirements in the solicitation that indicates what is required.

10. Do you have a sense of frequency for courses? (Weekly, monthly, other...)

Answer: Courses will be requested based on the availability of funds. We are anticipating quarterly however they may be requested more frequently or less if funds are not available.

11. The BPA solicitation refers to an attached Price Quotation Form but we looked and couldn’t find it.

Answer: We updated the Combo to reflect that you would create your own. Due to the varied types of courses that are offered, the government will not provide a specific format, we only request that you provide a description of the courses you offer that meet the requirements of the specification, pricing and suggested course size. We are requesting that the vendors provide their price list of the courses that they offer that meet the PWS.

12. How many courses and over what timeframe do they want the courses delivered?

Answer: There is no specific timeframe in which the courses are to be delivered. Courses will be requested based on the availability of funds. We are anticipating quarterly however they may be requested more frequently or less if funds are not available.

13. Is it one course that covers leadership, followership, resiliency, diversity and inclusion and change management?

Answer: There is flexibility in what the course covers. One course does not have to meet all the requirements listed above; as long as they are geared towards those requirement, they do not need to be all inclusive.

14. Is it one course on each of the above topics? So, 5 separate courses?

Answer: Courses may include one or more of the above requirements, the government is flexible. This will be awarded as a blanket purchase agreement and calls made against the agreement will be based on what is available on the price list your firm provides.

15. Is it a different course for each of the 4 rank groups? If so, does that expand the course count to somewhere between 4 and 20 courses?

Answer: The four rank groups are provided so that vendors understand their target audience. Officer and enlisted, junior and senior ranking members. This does not expand the course count. The number of courses will be determined based on need and available funding.

16. What type of certification are you looking for in leadership and followership and resilience?

Answer: The facilitators must show some sort of certification that they are qualified to facilitate the specific training course. Please see PWS: “4.3 Qualification Requirements.

The contractor and/or its employees shall be certified in the area of discipline by an accredited agency for the course they intend to facilitate.”

17. In reference to the statement, “The offeror must be an authorized, qualified, and certified vendor," is there a “qualified vendor list” for professional development services? If so, what is the criteria for evaluating that requirement?

Answer: In regards to this solicitation, you need to be registered in beta.SAM with an Active account as a small business with a DUNS number and CAGE code, and have the appropriate NAICS code identified in your Entity profile. In addition, course leaders must be certified to teach the course subject matter.

18. We are wondering if there is a list of course outcomes or a description of the classes that need to be taught.

Answer: We are seeking courses that vendors offer that are in accordance with the Performance Work Statement in the solicitation. A class may require tailoring of content up to approximately 10% of course material to address Air Force specific guidance, culture or leadership structure. Vendors will be required to tailor the course with their best judgement working with the Air Force professional development team.

19. How often do they want courses taught or is that up to the unit to order a course when they need one? Having the BPA run for up to 5 years makes that a little puzzling.

Answer: The frequency of the courses being taught may vary depending on the course size offered, price and the value that it provides the “students”. For example, if the customer finds a particular course beneficial to Air Force members honing in on leadership and change management, they may request to have this course more than once in order to provide more leaders the opportunity to attend the course.

The purpose of setting up the agreement (BPA) is because the government has a need (professional development courses); however, we do not know when we want the courses or how many. This will depend on available funding as well as the current focus (i.e.

leadership, change management, resiliency etc.). BPAs are typically set up for a 5 year term with review of the agreement held annually. Price lists may change via written notice to the contracting officer during the 5 year term.

20. How do they evaluate LPTA if we aren’t all pricing the same thing? I understand the ceiling of $200k, but what criteria is being used to base lowest price on? Is it simply whoever provides the most courses (and/or most time in training) for the lowest price?

Answer: If the courses do not follow the requirements of leadership, followership, resiliency, diversity and inclusion (with a military or leadership focus) or change management, they are not “technically” acceptable. This is not a LPTA source selection and trade-offs will not be considered. Government will make the selection of vendors based on the list of courses meeting the requirements in the solicitation and price. One factor does not outweigh the other. If the courses provided meet the one of the factors listed above, and prices are fair and reasonable, it will be considered as one of the agreements.

21. What is the quantity/number of deliveries that we should expect for each of the different rank groups?

Answer: The frequency/number of the courses for the different rank groups may vary depending on the course size offered, price and the value that it provides the “students”.

For example, if the customer finds a particular course beneficial to Air Force members honing in on leadership and change management, they may request to have this course more than once in order to provide more leaders the opportunity to attend the course.

There is no specific timeframe in which the courses are to be delivered. Courses will be requested based on the availability of funds. We are anticipating quarterly however they may be requested more frequently or less if funds are not available.

22. Is 934 Airlift Wing looking someone to develop the training or an off the self‐solution?

Answer: We are seeking a price list of courses that vendors offer that are in accordance with the Performance Work Statement in the solicitation. A comprehensive proposal is not necessary. We are not looking for vendors to develop specific courses, but to provide us with a listing of courses that they offer in leadership, followership, resiliency, diversity and inclusion (with a military or leadership focus).

23. The solicitation document states in #6 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PRICE QUOTATION: “The offeror shall provide their price data using attached worksheet and …” Please direct me to where that worksheet attachment can be found (it is not in the downloadable documents on SAM), or if proposers are allowed to create their own as part of the response.

Answer: The worksheet is on page 3 of 18 of the solicitation. Your course list may be attached to this as a continuation. Due to the varied types of courses that are offered, the government will not provide a specific format, we only request that you provide a description of the courses you offer that meet the requirements of the specification, pricing and suggested course size.

24. The BPA Terms and Conditions document states in #11 PRICING: “ A detailed pricing list by course will be provided to the Contracting Officer, and update as needed. Pricing shall be indicated per course (with recommended class size), inclusive of authorized surcharges, taxes or fees.” How should the quote state its pricing-- per person or per course?

Answer: The price list provided by the contracting officer is essentially the price list that vendors supply the government. The contracting officer will return the vendor price list signed and approved and will offer an expiration date. The expiration date is typically one year from the date the contracting officer signs the price list. At this time, the contracting office reviews the agreement to include the price list. A new price list will then be signed approved by the contracting officer. This list can be changed at any time by the vendor, adding/deleting course as well as price changes. Once the contracting officer reviews the changes they may once again approve the new price list.

For the purpose of this agreement, we wish to have vendors submit pricing based on the course and provide the government with the class size that it will support. For example, if a vendor has class X in the amount of $25,000.00, the class will support up to 30 attendees. If vendors wish to submit pricing by per person, that is acceptable as well as long as it is clear of what the maximum number of participants would be. For example:

class x at $1,000 per participant with max number of participants being 25 per course.

25. In reference to the statement, “The offeror must be an authorized, qualified, and certified vendor," is there a “qualified vendor list” for professional development services? If so, what is the criteria for evaluating that requirement?

Answer: In regards to this solicitation, you need to be registered in beta.SAM with an Active account as a small business with a DUNS number and CAGE code, and have the appropriate NAICS code identified in your Entity profile. In addition, course leaders must be certified to teach the course subject matter.

26. Is the intention to have a separate course for each of five (5) topics or to integrate them: a.

leadership, b.followership, c. resiliency, d. diversity and inclusion (with a military or leadership focus) and e. change management.

Answer: There is flexibility in what the course covers. One course does not have to meet all the requirements listed above; as long as they are geared towards those requirements, they do not need to be all inclusive.

27. Is the intention to have a separate course for each of the four (4) ranks mentioned?

Answer: The four rank groups are provided so that vendors understand their target audience. Officer and enlisted, junior and senior ranking members. This does not expand the course count. The number of courses will be determined based on need and available funding.

28. Will the 934th provide the hosting and support for the courses if offered virtually?

Answer: The vendor would need to be able to use a commonly accessible platform such as Webex and provide technical support, and the 934th would provide computer access for attendees.

29. What is the determining factor for whether the courses will be offered in person or virtually?

Answer: That is up to the needs of the professional development team.

30. Since drill weekends are already tightly packed, is the preference to host shorter segments 2 hours individual topics vs. 6 hours or 2-3 day courses with all topics?

Answer: There is no specific timeframe in which the courses are to be delivered. Courses will be requested based on need and the availability of funds.

31. May we submit questions regarding BPA for Professional Development Courses for the 934th Air Force Reserve based in Minneapolis, MN, and if so, by when?

Answer: You may submit your questions in writing to us via email. All questions and responses will be posted to FBO. Please submit your questions by 11:00 a.m. central time, 24 February 2021.

32. 6.1 Security Requirements. Please clarify this: “Contractor shall be required to obtain base access for employees providing services in accordance with the BPA washing aircraft”. Is this a typo?

Answer: Yes, this is a minor typographical error. The words “washing aircraft” should be omitted. This will be updated by COB 24 Feb.

33. Are you looking for COTS training materials or custom developed material based on meetings with the customer upon award?

Answer: We are seeking COTS training materials that can be minimally tailored for a military audience.

34. If you aren’t looking for custom developed base curriculum, will the vendor be expected to work with the customer of custom topics for the different rank groups?

Answer: A class may require tailoring of content up to approximately 10% of course material to address Air Force specific guidance, culture or leadership structure. Vendors will be required to tailor the course with their best judgement working with the Air Force professional development team.

35. If the actual student count being the goal is between 30-35 as stated, do you also have a goal for total students taught per title?

Answer: For the purpose of this agreement, we wish to have vendors submit pricing based on the course and provide the government with the class size that it will support.

There is no current goal, the Air Force professional development team will develop the student body based on the selected course.

36. Will the same students be taking all the titles? If yes, will they be going thru the courses as a cohort?

Answer: The frequency of the courses being taught may vary depending on the course size offered, price and the value that it provides the “students”. For example, if the customer finds a particular course beneficial to Air Force members honing in on leadership and change management, they may request to have this course more than once in order to provide more leaders the opportunity to attend the course. The purpose of setting up the agreement (BPA) is because the government has a need (professional development courses); however, we do not know when we want the courses or how many. This will depend on available funding as well as the current focus (i.e. leadership, change management, resiliency etc.). BPAs are typically set up for a 5 year term with review of the agreement held annually. Price lists may change via written notice to the contracting officer during the 5 year term.

37. Is providing 1 title per topic that is modified based on rank technically acceptable?

Answer: Yes, if it is taught by a certified trainer and meets the other standards set forth in the solicitation.

38. Are you looking for 5 classes, one for each topic: leadership, followership, resiliency, Change management diversity and inclusion)

Answer: There is flexibility in what the course covers. One course does not have to meet all the requirements listed above; as long as they are geared towards those requirement, they do not need to be all inclusive.

39. How is the 934th currently receiving this training and from whom (including contract #)?

Answer: This is a new requirement. Currently professional development courses are not being taught other than in the subject of resiliency which is facilitated by certified base populace

40. Is there an Incumbent or a variety of vendors? Any contract #’s or details?

Answer: This is a new requirement.

41. What is the typical student size in similar offerings that your personnel are receiving?

Answer: This is a new requirement.

42. Is there a breakdown of virtual vs in-person classes?

Answer: As a new requirement, that will be dependent on needs of the Government and funding availability.

43. Is virtual delivery based on COVID and once social distancing goes back to pre-pandemic norms will this be all in person training ?

Answer: As a new requirement, the two delivery methods are to provide flexibility to the Government.

44. If not COVID driven, what is the reason for both Virtual and in person training?

Answer: As a new requirement, the two delivery methods are to provide flexibility to the Government.

45. Contract line items section on page 1 of the combined synopsis mentions travel as a POTENTIAL NECESARRY ITEM TO DELIVER Professional development courses. Since this could be virtual or in person training, can travel be bill separately according to Govt travel guidelines? If not can we propose pricing for virtual classes and then a different clin for in-person classes?

Answer: Yes, just please be specific in your pricing list. Travel shall be in accordance with government guidelines and per diem rates.

46. The synopsis mentions these classes could be grouped together over 2-3 days but also says this training is for reservists on the weekend. Do you mean over 2 days? Please clarify.

Answer: Some courses provide meaningful training when over a span of 2-3 days rather than providing all training within a 4-8 hour day. For example, meaningful training may encompass three 6 hour sessions. Correct, UTA weekends typically make up a weekend;

however, some include Friday which provides for a third day and there are additional training days that members are required to complete which encompasses 2 weeks a year.

The professional development team will align these days accordingly when planning for future courses.

47. If one vendor recommends a 2-hour course and another a 6-hour course and both are technically acceptable and the costs are lower on the 2 hour, class how do you determine an LPTA price?

Answer: If the courses do not follow the requirements of leadership, followership, resiliency, diversity and inclusion (with a military or leadership focus) or change management, they are not “technically” acceptable. This is not a LPTA source selection and trade-offs will not be considered. Government will make the selection of vendors based on the list of courses meeting the requirements in the solicitation and price. One factor does not outweigh the other. If the courses provided meet the one of the factors listed above, and prices are fair and reasonable, it will be considered as one of the agreements.

The selection of course duration will be dependent on the need at the time and funding.

Course should provide a meaningful description in which the government will be able to determine what is offered in the 2 hour course verses the 6 hour course. If the 2 hour course meets the intent, then the government may request that course. If the elements of the 2 hour course but the 6 hour course does, then the government may request the 6 hour course.

48. Can you provide the name of any titles that you have received that were acceptable for 2 hours on any of these topics?

Answer: This is a new requirement

49. If needed does the Govt classroom have a computer lab. Commercial internet and overhead projector?

Answer: The Government classroom does have a computer lab, and can support Wi-Fi.

50. For virtual classes will students be using their personal computers or Government issued computers?

Answer: Airmen will have personal computers or iPads if the instructor is virtual. If the class in held in-person, there will be access to a training room with government computers.

51. I understand that the facilitators have to be certified. I would assume that the content providers of the online courses also needs to be certified. As we do not have the subject matter expertise internally, my question is whether the USAF will make certified facilitators and content providers available to us in the development of the training courses.

Answer: This requirement is simply requesting any developed courses that are offered that meet the requirements in the performance work statement to include one or all of the following elements: leadership, followership, resiliency, diversity and inclusion (with a military or leadership focus) and change management. We are not requesting vendors to work with the USAF to develop specific courses.

52. I am looking for the price quotation worksheet referenced in article 6 (6.1 and 6.4) of the 20210211+Combined+SS (see attached). Where can I find a copy of the price quotation worksheet?

Answer: Apologies for the confusion, as you should create your own. We are requesting that the vendors provide their price list of the courses that they offer that meet the PWS.

53. Will the government provide laptops or desktops and internet access for the training?

Answer: Airmen will have personal computers or iPads if the instructor is virtual. If the class in held in-person, there will be access to a training room with government computers.

54. Are courses for the different ranks required to be taught simultaneously in groups requiring multiple trainers or can the contractor schedule specified times for each category requiring only one trainer?

Answer: The four rank groups are provided so that vendors understand their target audience. Officer and enlisted, junior and senior ranking members. This does not expand the course count. The number of courses will be determined based on needs of the Professional Development Team and available funding. We do not know when we want the courses or how many. We wish to have vendors submit pricing based on the course and provide the government with the class size that it will support.

55. The PWS states: “All groups will receive a form of leadership (leadership, followership, resiliency, diversity and inclusion) training; however, the course material shall be tailored to the different groups in terms of their various duties, levels of responsibility, professional experience, and other related factors. The different rank groups are as follows:

• Airmen E1-E4

• Airmen E5-E6

• Airmen E7-E9

• Officers O1-O3”

What is the quantity/number of deliveries that we should expect for each of the different rank groups?

Answer: The frequency/number of the courses for the different rank groups may vary depending on the course size offered, price and the value that it provides the “students”.

For example, if the customer finds a particular course beneficial to Air Force members honing in on leadership and change management, they may request to have this course more than once in order to provide more leaders the opportunity to attend the course.

There is no specific timeframe in which the courses are to be delivered. Courses will be requested based on the availability of funds. We are anticipating quarterly however they may be requested more frequently or less if funds are not available.

56. To say that the USAF’s only requirement is to develop courses on the five leadership topics (with a military focus), is extremely vague and prone to unintended consequences. There are countless leadership styles in use. There are those who argue that some are better than others, but that evaluation is subjective.

Answer: We appreciate your point of view and you are correct in that developing courses with a leadership focus is vague. The intent of this requirement is to provide professional development courses that hone in on personal skills in leadership, followership, resiliency, diversity and inclusion (with a military or leadership focus) and change management. These topics are not specific to a trade such as nursing, engineering or other trades that are common in the military.

The government is simply asking for already developed courses that may require tailoring of approximately 10% to meet the target audience. This would require your team to work with our professional development team to ensure the appropriate objectives of the training are met. The requested training does not just focus specifically on leadership styles. Other topics include those previously mentioned and are included in the performance work statement. If you have courses that are developed and can easily be tailored to fit our needs, please submit them.

57. Would the most senior leaders require EQi 2.0 emotional intelligence assessments and coaching?

Answer: We don’t require emotional intelligence assessments and coaching as part of this RFQ.

58. Can you confirm the government’s selection date? Is it 1 Apr 2021?

Answer: The evaluation process will begin once the solicitation closes. The anticipated date in which we intend to have the agreements and accepted and awarded is 1 April. We hope to have notifications to successful offerors during the month of March so that we may request services the first weekend in April.

59. Can you share more specifics what you are looking for in terms of certification?

Answer: The facilitators must show some sort of certification that they are qualified to facilitate the specific training course. Please see PWS: “4.3 Qualification Requirements.

The contractor and/or its employees shall be certified in the area of discipline by an accredited agency for the course they intend to facilitate.”

60. Is there a specific format for submission beyond course descriptions, facilitator overview, ideal numbers, and pricing?

Answer: There is not a specific format for the price quotation form, you would create your own. Due to the varied types of courses that are offered, the government will not provide a specific format, we only request that you provide a description of the courses you offer that meet the requirements of the specification, pricing and suggested course size. We are requesting that the vendors provide their price list of the courses that they offer that meet the PWS.

61. Is this an ongoing program or a new offering? If ongoing, what did you like most? If a new offering, what prompts these training offerings now?

Answer: This is a new requirement, and is based on the needs of the service.

62. Do you have a preference for in-state providers?

Answer: No, anyone can bid who meets the criteria.

63. If we have an in-person presenter, can we also have presenters online (hybrid delivery)?

Answer: Yes, that is possible.

64. We like to augment our response with links to online material. May we do so?

Answer: Yes

65. Is training required or voluntary? What has participation been like in the past if voluntary?

Answer: This training will be mandatory for selected participants.

66. Do you have a specific format for the RFP response?

Answer: Please refer to page 3 of 18 of the solicitation. Your course list may be attached to this as a continuation.

67. Should the cost proposal be a separate document?

Answer: Due to the varied types of courses that are offered, the government will not provide a specific format, we only request that you provide a description of the courses you offer that meet the requirements of the specification, pricing and suggested course size. We are requesting that the vendors provide their price list of the courses that they offer that meet the PWS.