QandAsupdated.pdf
PDF 118 KB Posted
- Attached to
- FHFA DEIA Training Certification Program
- Solicitation number
- FHF-24-Q-0123
- Issued by
-
Federal Housing Finance Agency
About this file
This document contains questions and answers related to a federal contract opportunity issued by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) for a DEIA Training Certification Program. The solicitation is for commercial services and is being conducted under FAR Part 12 and FAR Part 13 simplified acquisition procedures.
The key details are: the program will consist of both virtual and in-person training sessions, with the option for a hybrid delivery model; there is no incumbent, and it is a brand-new requirement; FHFA anticipates enrolling around 20 participants in one cohort; the program should be no shorter than 6 months and no longer than 1 year; the training format must use Microsoft Teams or Zoom; and there are no set-asides or preferences for certain types of vendors. Pricing should be for the administration of the full program, and FHFA will evaluate quotes for reasonableness and potential risk. Only quotes receiving an acceptable or higher technical rating will be considered for award, with technical factors being more important than price.
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Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| QandAs.pdf | ||
| SOW DEIA Fellowship program2.pdf | ||
| FAR and FHFA Clauses.pdf |
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FHF-24-Q-0123 DEIA Training Certification Program
Questions and Answers
1. Is there a requirement this training be in-person, or can it be virtual?
Answer: Program will consist of both virtual and in person sessions with the option for hybrid for each.
2. I have a clarifying question regarding the below italicized requirement. This determines if we are qualified to resubmit.
While our facilitators are academic experts and practitioners, with advanced degrees (PhDs), in the DEIA field, the requirement states that they should be "authorized by an accredited college or university to assess and certify staff upon successful completion of the program."
Can you please clarify this for me? Does it mean that they have to hold an authorized certification from an institution in order to certify others?
Answer: No, the organization has to be accredited to provide FHFA employees certification and CEUs not the instructors.
3. We would like to know if this is a brand-new contract OR if there is (was) an incumbent performing these services.
If not brand new, could you please provide the current / previous contract number?
Answer: There is no current incumbent, and it is a brand-new requirement.
4. Does FHFA have a preference for program duration (6 months or 1 year)?
Answer: Once awarded vendors should be able to create a course curriculum that is no shorter than 6 months but no longer that 1 year. If the program can be completed within 6 months without putting excess strain on the employees that would be fine but if it needs to extend 1 year we are ok with that.
5. How many participants does FHFA anticipate enrolling in the program? Does FHFA anticipate more than one cohort?
Answer: Around 20 and no there will be only one award made
6. What is FHFA's preference for program delivery (in-person, virtual, or hybrid)?
Answer: See Answer for question 1
7. Are there any specific technology requirements or restrictions for virtual elements of the program?
Answer: Yes, the format must be Microsoft Teams or Zoom.
8. Are there any specific timeframes or blackout periods we should be aware of when planning the program schedule?
Answer: Federal holidays, Mondays and Fridays are off limits. The week of Thanksgiving and Christmas should also be avoided.
9. What is the expected time commitment for participants (e.g., hours per week)?
Answer: There should be no more than 8 hours per week.
10. Are there any preferred Continuing Education Unit (CEU) providers or standards?
Answer: No.
11. Would FHFA like to see any specific cost elements included in the pricing proposal?
Answer: No, pricing should consist of the price the organization is charging to administer the program.
12. Is there a preference for vendors with specific experience in the financial regulatory sector?
Answer: No, the program is focused on DEIA and not the financial regulatory sector.
13. We are a WOSB and EDWOSB. Is there a set-aside for this project?
Answer: No, this is not a set-aside
14. As a practitioner and prior faculty member I don't understand how the organization thinks they can get CEU credits unless they go through a university with a specific program. Example we offer continuing legal education (CLE) credits in Florida for attorneys which are approved by the Florida Bar Association. We submitted the outline of the course, how long each section is and they evaluate that information and then we get approved to offer the course and provide the certifications to attorneys upon their completion of the course.
How do you anticipate getting CEU unless you utilize a university that will offer the course specifically as a graduate course worth credits?
Answer: Continuing education credits are used by some companies and government agencies to track the knowledge exposure level of their employees and are a common requirement for professional certifications. For instance, Contracting professionals in the federal government have to keep their certifications up and earn CEUs and they do not have to be in the form of graduate courses to earn credits.
15. How many individuals will be trained?
Answer: Approximately 20
16. What's the acceptable criteria for CEUs?
Answer: A Continuing Education Unit (CEU), also known as Continuing Education Credit (CEC) is a vital measure in ongoing education programs, helping professionals maintain their licenses. CEUs are mandatory to keep certifications current and maintain professional status. FHFA is not changing the definition of what the traditional definition of a CEU.
17. How many times is each class expected to be delivered?
Answer: Not sure what is meant by how many times is each class expected to be delivered.
If you are asking about individual sessions by topic then each session is to be offered 1 time.
18. Do we need to have a contingency plan for those who miss one or more classes?
Answer: No, not at the moment
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