Questions_Responses_FTC-15-Q-5051_Final.docx

Industry Questions and FTC Responses FTC Writing Coach Requirement

FTC-15-Q-5051

Question #1 - Can you please clarify the requirements for a place of performance for writing coaching? Where will the students be coming from?

Response #1 – The place of performance for writing coaching is at the contractor’s facility unless FTC agrees to an alternate place of performance. It is anticipated that all coaching services will be performed remotely via teleconference and email. The students will be attorneys in the Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP) and the Office of International Affairs (OIA).

Question #2 - May we propose the use of our offices? Or rent a space in a more convenient location? Or use the library's facilities?

Response #2 - The place of performance is at the contractor’s facility unless the FTC agrees to an alternate place of performance. The FTC will not reimburse the contractor separately for space.

Question #3 - Monitoring quality is of course important. What would constitute adequate documentation? Would emails and conversations be sufficient? Must it issue in reports?

Response #3 - The Offeror will propose documentation and format to the level they determine is appropriate to monitor quality. The FTC will not dictate what constitutes “adequate documentation” or how the documentation will be issued/submitted.

Question #4 - Where will your answers to these questions appear?

Response #4 - FTC answers to industry questions regarding this solicitation will be posted on FedBizOpps.

Question #5 - Has a contractor performed similar work to this for the government in the past?

If available, please provide the incumbent contract number. If you are unable to provide a contract number, is it safe to assume this is a new requirement for the government?

Response #5 – A contractor has performed this work on behalf of the FTC in the past. The incumbent contract number is FTC-11-H-1225.

Question #6 - Does the Writing Coach need to be located near the Bureau of Consumer Protection and/or Office of International Affairs?

Response #6 – No, the writing coach does not need to be located near the Bureau of Consumer Protection or the Office of International Affairs.

Question #7 - Is there is provision for coaching sessions to be done virtually?

Response #7 - It is anticipated that all coaching services will be performed remotely via teleconference and email.

Question #8 - Does Writing Coach need to be a licensed Attorney?

Response #8 – No, the writing coach does not need to be a licensed Attorney.

Question #9 - I have sent the reference form (ATTACHMENT A: PAST PERFORMANCE QUESTIONNAIRE) to my clients who will serve as references. I would like to clarify two question for them:

a. In section D of ATTACHMENT A: PAST PERFORMANCE QUESTIONNAIRE, are they expected to provide (1) just a one-word rating (Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor and Unsatisfactory) or (2) the rating and other information, like answers of a couple of sentences?

Response #9a – At a minimum, the references must provide a one-word rating. They can provide additional information, if they choose.

b. In Section C of the same attachment, what does "Follow-on (Yes/No)” refer to?

Response #9b – Although there is no formal definition, “follow-on” means a new, noncompetitive procurement placed with an incumbent contractor, either by a separate new contractor or by a supplemental agreement, to continue or augment a specific program where such placement was necessitated by prior procurement decisions.

Question #10 - Would you be able to provide an example or description of how to provide "full build-up," as referred to here: The Offeror shall provide full build-up from the base hourly rate for each proposed individual to the fully burdened labor rate included in the Cost for Services table. The information requested can include all the information to support the fully burdened rate not limited to the (1) base labor rate; (2) overhead percentage and cost; (3) general and administrative percentage and cost; and (4) fee percentage and cost.

Question #11 - I have two questions below regarding the following required certifications:

-the current representations and certifications from System for Award Management (SAM);

-the SF33 and all amendments to this requirement signed by the Offeror.

a. I have a DUNS number, but I have not completed registration on SAM yet. Do I need to do that?

Response #11a – Yes, SAM registration is required. As part of the proposal submission package, the representations and certifications from SAM are required.

b. What is the SF33?

Response #11b – SF33 is the face page of the solicitation entitled “Solicitation, Offer and Award”.

Question #12 - In the requirements for volume I of the proposal, describing basic information, the solicitation requires the following (I quote): "The Offeror’s proposal shall specify the proposal validity date of 90 days from the date of submission." Since the proposal is to be submitted before July and the contract is to be valid as of August 1, what precisely is the specified validity date of the proposal to be indicated? Is this meant to read "within 90 days" rather than "of 90 days," so one need only note that the proposal is valid as of its date of submission or August 1, the date on which the contract might begin?

Response #12 – Although the FTC’s intent is to issue a contract resulting from this solicitation before August 1, 2015, the FTC is requesting that all proposals remain valid for a period of 90 days following the date of submission. Allowing proposals to remain valid for 90 days from date of submission should provide adequate time for evaluation of proposals, negotiations (if required), revised proposals (if required) and any unexpected delays.

Question #13 - Will all coaching services be performed on site or remotely via teleconference and email?

Response#13 – It is anticipated that all coaching services will be performed remotely via teleconference and email. The FTC does not anticipate a requirement for any in-person meetings.

Question #14 - It looks like this is a grammar/punctuation writing coaching opportunity or is this a legal writing coaching opportunity?

Response #14 – This is a legal writing coach opportunity.

Question #15 - Is there flexibility in the start date? Specifically, must the contractor be available to start on 8/1/2015? Could the start date be moved to 1/1/2016?

Response #15 – At this time, there is no flexibility in the start date and the Contractor must be prepared to start on August 1, 2015. If the award is delayed, the start date may shift slightly based on the award date. At this time, FTC will not move the start date to January 1, 2016.

Question #16 - Must the contractor bid on all the option dates or will the government consider bids for the base period only?

Response #16 – The Contractor must propose on all services, including the base and option periods.

Question #17 - If the contractor bids on all the option periods, does the contractor have discretion to decline to continue the contract if the government exercises its option to renew?

Response #17 – The successful contractor will not have the discretion to decline to continue the contract, if the FTC exercises options in accordance with FAR 52.217-9.