Amendment_01_-_Q_and_A.pdf

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR FDA RFQ NO. FDA-18-223-SOL-1192532

No. Clarification Question Agency Response

Is this audio transcription work that can be done via Government-provided recordings of the proceedings remotely, or do you require a court reporter/transcriber be present at all meetings?

They need to be present.

What is the set-up of the meetings? Is there a sound system for the reporter to plug into?

There is a sound system for the reporter to plug into. They should arrive an hour before the meeting.

How many pages for a (1) day meeting should quoters use to formulate a (1) day meeting quote?

It is expected that each one (1) day meeting produces approximately 300, and no more than 500, transcribed pages.

How many pages for a (2) day meeting should quoters use to formulate a (2) day meeting quote?

Dependent on the topic of the meeting. Typically more than 500 pgs.

What does it mean for an audio CD to be 508 Compliant? Do you have a sample?

508 Compliance refers to GSA’s Government-wide IT Accessibility Program. Information can be found at https://www.section508.gov/.

Microsoft Word program does not produce a condensed version with key word index. Would you accept a printed final condensed version with key word in PDF?

Yes.

What does it mean for a transcript to be 508 compliant? Do you have a sample?

508 Compliance refers to GSA’s Government-wide IT Accessibility Program. Information can be found at https://www.section508.gov/.

Will reporters be considered a visitor or will they have to complete the eQip form to obtain a PIV card?

Reporters will be visitors and will need to be escorted.

Would the agency be willing to change pricing matrix to a per page rate instead of a per meeting rate?

No.

Who is the current vendor(s), and what are their prices?

There is no “current” vendor. Services have been provided by multiple vendors in the past on an as-needed basis, and always as micro-purchases.

While proprietary individual vendor pricing is not public information, total award values are releasable. Most recently, services were provided by Caset Associates LTD via award HHSF223201810006M, valued at $2,500, and Free State Reporting, LLC, via award HHSF223201710252A valued at $16,416.00.

The “ordering procedures” section of the solicitation

(p. 2) indicates that the vendor will have to submit a technical quote and price quote for each task order. If the government is going to award only one contract with fixed rates for 1- and 2-day meetings, why is it necessary for the single-award vendor to submit technical and price quotes for each task order?

The Government reserves the right to require a technical quote if needed. The wording in this section has been amended to clarify this.

https://www.section508.gov/ https://www.section508.gov/

No. Clarification Question Agency Response

On Attachment B, Pricing Worksheet, the “Estimated # of Meetings” column (column B) is left blank, which leaves bidders to fill in this field with their own estimates, even though the government has provided estimated numbers of meetings on page 1 of the Statement of Work. Please fill in this column with your estimated number of meetings so that all bidders will be evaluated on the same estimated quantities.

Attachment B has been corrected.

Can companies from outside USA apply for this (like, from India or Canada)?

No. All interested offerors must have registered profiles in SAM.gov. Onsite representation is required for this effort. International and non-local travel are not accommodated under this effort.

14 Are contractors required to work onsite?

Contractors are required on-site one hour before meeting set up and during the entire duration of the meeting.

Can tasks (related to RFP) be performed outside USA (like, from India or Canada)?

Onsite representation is required for this effort.

International and non-local travel are not accommodated under this effort.

Is this a new requirement? If not a new requirement, who is the incumbent, and what is the pricing history/ information?

See answer to Question 10.

17 Would you consider receiving quotes via email?

Per the solicitation instructions, Quotations must be submitted via email.