HIEB Questions.docx

QUESTIONS FOR H1EB-EL-120001-N

The Government has received the following questions referencing Solicitation

HIEB-EL-120001-N:

1. Q: Please clarify what is required in the Pricing Proposal?

A. Please provide pricing based on solicitation requirements.

2. Q: Can you better delineate the scope of the Translation task (Task 1) from the scope of Visual Interpretation task (Task 2)? Can you better define how storyboarding will be used in the Translation task?

A: The Translation task refers to translating i.e contextualizing broad research topics into various forms of messages for the identified building and portfolio operations, management and financial/procurement stakeholders. The purpose of the contextualization is to tease out the most applicable part of the specific research topic message and put it into a context relevant for each audience. Those contextualized messages can then be disseminated through various training and communication vehicles, using various graphic and non graphic methods deemed to have the most impact/uptake by that targeted audience.

The purpose of the Visualization Task is to develop visual representations of data and concepts for the Knowledge Network tasks described above as well as other Office projects.

3. Q: Please clarify the anticipated level of effort for the entire scope of work.

A: Please refer to SOW for level of effort

4. Q: Is this support for existing or new buildings, or both?

A: Existing Buildings

5. Q: Where can we find the GSA "energy research into practice" communication strategy developed in FY11 referenced in the background section of the Scope of Work?

A: Please refer to Section 2 - BACKGROUND

6. Q: Can you provide samples of the research data and reports that will be provided by the OFHPGB Knowledge Network team referred to in Section 3.1, Task 1 description?

A: Please reference websites where leading high performance green buildings research is published such as DOE labs, DOE, EERE, Center for Built Environment, Carnegie Mellon University

7. Q: Will this work be expected to produce the final 2-4 specific content pieces (e.g., videos, case studies, fact sheets, presentation modules, etc) from each storyboard generated in 3.1.3 deliverable 1? Can you provide examples of “content pieces”?

A: Please refer to section 3.1.3

8. Q: SECTION 3.1 (Task 1) How many topics are anticipated to be translated as part of this effort?

A: Contractors should be able to deal with the four major topics of the Knowledge Network:

· Operations & Maintenance

· Water

· Energy

· Indoor Environmental Quality

A: Offerors should only propose labor categories and associated rates to be used in individual tasks.

9. Q: SECTION 3.1 (Task 1) How many for each audience?

A. Offerors should only propose labor categories and associated rates to be used in individual tasks.

10. Q: SECTION 3.1 (Task 1) Is there a priority timeline for completion and integration of the topics for each audience?

A: No

11. Q: SECTION 3.1.3 (1) Will there be test pilots for each of these packages?

A. Content will be tested with GSA lead focus groups, contractors may be asked to revise content based on feedback.

12. Q: SECTION 3.1.3 (1) Is the intent to provide deeper levels of data/information within each package?

A: Please define “deeper levels of data/information.”

13. Q: SECTION 3.1.3 (4) What type of “investments” are anticipated from organizational/institutional partners (See Action Plan description)?

A: Investments from Organizational/Institutional partners will be determined as the contract is executed.

14. Q: SECTION 3.1.3 (5) What is a “cross disciplinary form” that National Academies will create, and the expectation of the team’s role in its development beyond initial workshop participation?

A. The NAS workshop forum outcome will be made available to selected contractor

15. Q: SECTION 3.1.3 (6) Regarding the Triple bottom line – does “economy” mean impact on local/national economies as well as cost-effectiveness of the project?

A: Both matter but the emphasis is expected to be in the cost effectiveness of the project.

16. Q: SECTION 3.1.3 (7) What type of support is anticipated?

A: Assistance in developing a targeted communications strategy

17. Q: SECTION C (1) Is there a specific format to follow for the proposal submittal or can we use our own format?

A: There is no specific format required you may submit your own format

18. Q: SECTION C (1) Are the Technical and Pricing proposals to be submitted as separate packages or all in one?

A: Please submit separate Technical and Pricing proposals

19. Q: GENERAL: How will the work relate to - A. The three US DOE and Dept of Commerce “Centers for Building Operational Excellence” announced recently?

B. The GSA “Workplace Solutions Library” C. IFMA Roadmap to Success with Sustainability

A: The work can draw from and become part of any or all of the above.

20. Q: SECTION 3.1.3 (3): Will the deliverables include tools for Facility Managers to develop building “owners manuals” or other FM tools such as presentations to their management teams and building users?

A: Yes

21. Q: SECTION 3.1.3. (5): Do the anticipated ROI sections include knowledge and calculations concerning risk management from a sustainability perspective?

A: Yes

22. Q: SECTION: OBJECTIVE. “inform and educate the identified audiences with high performance technologies and best practices”: Will the technologies addressed be limited to technologies already in the GSA schedules,or will all technologies commercially available in the world be addressed?

A: All tested commercially available technologies may be addressed.

23. Q: SECTION 3.1.3. (1): “The Storyboard will break the larger research report….” The phrase “research report(s)” are used 4 times in the RFQ. Is completion of the research reports part of the contractor’s duties, or are they exclusively a product of the OFHPGB team? In either case, about when are they scheduled to be ready? Will the research reports be in draft form, with amendments possible as the storyboards and other products of the project are developed?

A: Research reports will be provided to the contractor prior to the development of content.

24. Q: GENERAL: Who owns the intellectual property rights to anything created or modified for this project? What rights will GSA have for use? One agency? All Government Agencies? Private enterprise?

A: The US Government will own

25. Q: GENERAL: Will travel be required and if so, will it be billable?

A: See Amendment #2

26. Q: How extensive (e.g., in pages) are the data and reports that will be provided by OFHPGB?

A: Reports may vary from 25 to 150 pages with various levels of complexity.

27. Q: Should the visualization task include the development of videos, mobile apps, or more interactive technology, or is the visualization team restricted to creating the graphs and images that will be used in videos, mobile apps, and other media created by work conducted outside of the envisioned contract?

A: The visualization team is responsible only for creating the graphs and images that will be used in videos, mobile apps, and other media.

28. Q: Page 67 of the Solicitation, Section 1 refers to “discounts offered from the GSA Schedule pricing.” Is an established GSA pricing schedule required to bid on this contract?

Add via amendment (if applicable)

A: Amended /A N

29. Q: Are small businesses who have submitted GSA pricing schedule proposals and are awaiting response from GSA eligible to bid on this contract?

A: Per Amendment 1 this is a full and open competition small business set aside.

30. Q: What is the projected contract ceiling value for the Base Year of the envisioned contract?

A: Not applicable, the contract award amount will be posted after contract award.

31. Q: What is the projected contract ceiling value for the Option Years of the envisioned contract?

A: Not applicable, the contract award amount will be posted after contract award.

32. Q: Does GSA anticipate that the envisioned work will be completed in one contract year, or is the work part of an ongoing effort that is likely to extend for multiple years, budget permitting and assuming successful contract performance in the Base Year?

A: Not Applicable

33. Q: Can you please clarify the contract type?

A: Fixed Price Level of Effort

34. Q: In the envisioned “fixed price level of effort” contract, can you clarify which part of the price is fixed? Are the hourly billing rates fixed, the overall price for services proposed fixed, both, or neither?

A: As specified in Section C-5 the anticipated contract is fixed price level of effort.

35. Q: Should bidders provide pricing information on hourly billing rates only, or are labor hours estimates with corresponding fixed prices required for each of the Tasks?

A: All base and option years must be priced out.

36. Q: Should bidders provide pricing information for only the Base Year or for the complete five-year contract period (including option-years)?

A: All base and option years must be priced out.

37. Q: Are their firms currently providing services to GSA similar to those described in the Solicitation? If so, which firms are providing such services currently? Can you provide a contract number for this work or provide the statement of work?

A: Not applicable, this is a new requirement

38. Q: How many of the storyboards (referenced in 3.1.3.1) will need to be created?

The number of storyboards will vary but could cover the main Energy Research into Practice topics such as:

· Operations & Maintenance

· Water

· Energy

· Indoor Environmental Quality

39. Q: Should costs to printing or otherwise produce physical copies of materials like hand-outs, posters and storyboards be included in the price proposal? If so, does GSA have guidance on the amount of printing that is anticipated?

A: Please anticipate digital delivery of all materials, for example in PDF form.

40. Q: Page 6 of 69 indicates that the solicitation is issued following the procedures of FAR 12. However, many of the clauses in the solicitation refer to FSS and GSA Schedule pricing? Will GSA permit contractors to use their GSA FSS Pricing in this proposal?

A: Any and all references to all FSS and GSA are amended to include “if applicable”. Offerors may submit GSA FSS pricing, but, the terms and conditions of this contract will follow FAR Part 12 not FAR Part 8.

41. Q: Page 67 of 69 indicates that the term of the task order(s) is anticipated to be Date of Award through one year, with four 1-year options to renew, but the statement of work appears to be for one year of work. Therefore contractors cannot provide a cost proposal for the 4 options years, unless GSA provides a statement of work or estimated level of effort for the option years. Assuming GSA does not provide a statement of work or estimated level of effort for the option years, does the Agency want contractors to provide rate information for the option years?

A: Not Applicable

41. Q: On the bottom of p. 8, under Task 1, the RFP indicates that “work will require approximately 15 hours per week for one calendar year for two persons to provide storyboards and specific content pieces.” This is equivalent to 1560 hours. Does GSA anticipate that 1560 hours is the level of effort (LOE) for:

a. Task 1 only? If yes, then what is the estimated LOE for Task 2?

b. Subtasks of Task 1 including the storyboards/content packages and action plan (subtasks 1-4)? If yes, then what is the estimated LOE subtasks 5 and 6 of Task 1? And what is the estimated LOE for Task 2?

c. Or is 1560 hours the estimated level of effort for Tasks 1 and 2?

A: The LOE for task 2 is approximately 13 hours per week during the period of performance.

42. Q: The statement of work is unclear about whether original research and analysis is expected, with the exception of subtasks 5 and 6 of Task 1. Is original research and analysis anticipated under the other subtasks of Task 1? Or for Task 2?

A: No original research or analysis will be required for Tasks 1 and 2.

43: Q: Under subtask 5 of Task 1, how many individual ROI, cost-benefit, or other analyses does GSA anticipate?

A: We are looking for a single white-paper that draws upon numerous studies to pull the ROI and cost-benefits together. No original research or analysis will be required for Tasks 1 and 2.

44: Q: Under subtask 5 of Task 1, does GSA anticipate that the unit of analysis is “sustainable design” overall, or will GSA define specific topics within sustainable design for each analysis (e.g., water conservation, or use of specific water saving technologies)?

A: Not Applicable. No original research or analysis will be required for Tasks 1 and 2.

45. Q: Two references to “the research report” are noted on the bottom of p. 8. What report is GSA referring to?

a. Is this an existing report that bidders can access?

A: Research reports will be provided to the contractor prior to the development of content.

46. Q: On p. 9, under Final Content Packages, the RFP reads that GSA has responsibility for production. How is GSA defining “production” vis-à-vis each of the content pieces mentioned (i.e., video, presentation modules, case studies, fact sheets, etc.)?

a. In particular for video, does GSA expect the contractor to shoot and edit video, or is that considered part of production?

A: The visualization team is responsible only for creating the graphs and images that will be used in videos, mobile apps, and other media.

47. Q: Does GSA anticipate the contractor developing webpage(s) or a website that organizes all of the content to be developed under this contract?

A: No

48. Q: Section C.1. (Proposal Instructions) states the Offeror “must clearly identify discounts offered from the GSA Schedule pricing.” Please confirm under which GSA Schedule this procurement is released, and if the Offeror must be a GSA Schedule contractor.

A: Please see Amendment 2

49. Q: Section C.2. states “In comparing prices, the Government will compare the hourly rates for comparable labor categories among the proposals.” Is it GSA’s intention that the Offeror propose a level of effort anticipated to support each of the tasks identified in Section A, or should the Offeror only propose labor categories and associated rates to be used in individual task orders?

A: Offerors should only propose labor categories and associated rates to be used in individual tasks.

60. Q: Section C.2. notes that each task may be awarded to multiple vendors. Is it GSA’s intention to award multiple ID/IQ contracts and issue individual task orders for this work? If so, can GSA explain how individual tasks will be identified and competed among the multiple award holders?

A: This contract is a multiple award Blanket Purchase Agreement with a period of performance NOT an ID/IQ.

61. Q: Section C.5. identifies this as a fixed price level of effort (FPLOE) contract. With the exception of the level of effort expected for deliverable 3.1.3.1 (Storyboards on page 8), there is insufficient information to price the entire effort. Can GSA please provide additional information concerning the anticipated level of effort for the remainder of the tasks?

A: No

61. Q: Section C, Part 5 on page 68 of the RFQ states that “the Government anticipates awarding this task order as fixed price level of effort (FPLOE) with a not to exceed limitation.” How should offerors estimate the level of effort for the four option years? Should offerors provide rates for the first year of the contract only, or also provide rates for the four option years?

A: Not Applicable

62. Q: Section 3.1.3 on page 8 of the RFQ states that “the [storyboard] work will require approximately15 hours per week for one calendar year for two persons to provide story boards and specific content pieces.” Should this be interpreted as a total of 30 hours per week for one year? Does this estimated level of effort only apply to the storyboard task? Does GSA have an expected level of effort for the remaining requirements under Tasks 1 and 2?

A: Offerors should only propose labor categories and associated rates to be used in individual tasks.

63. Q: Section 4.1.4 on page 10 of the RFQ lists deliverables for Task 2. Does GSA have an anticipated number of drawings and illustrations, as well as a desired format, in mind that can be used to estimate the level of effort for the base and option years?

A: Please see above answer

61: Q: Section 3.1 on page 6 of the RFQ mentions the requirement of working with research provided by OFHPGB. Has the entity performing this research been selected? If so, will GSA provide the name of this entity?

A: The entity has not been selected, GSA will not provide the name of the entity

62. Q: Tasks 1 and 2 in the RFQ tasks are dependent on research information provided by GSA or its research agent. What are the expectations for available research – condition, timing, quantity, length of reports, type – to be provided to the contractor(s) awarded Task 1 and/or Task 2?

A: Research will be immediately available, please define “condition,” and “timing,” length of reports will vary, please define “type.”

63. Q: In Section I-FSS-40 on page 51 of the RFQ, there is language referencing in the RFQ about IFF –will GSA execute this contract as a GSA schedule buy and if yes which schedule and SIN?

A: This will be amended to be removed from the RFQ.

64. Q: This is a small business set-aside. Is there any order of preference for particular types of small business?

A: This answer should quote the FAR.

65. Q: There seems to be a significant educational piece to this. Would a nonprofit be eligible to lead the team?

A: Yes, if the non-profit qualifies as a small business

66. Q: Will the contractor be required to collate and analyze new data on HPGB projects? If so is there already a methodology established by GSA?

A: Please refer to section 3.1 for Translation Task requirements. Please reference http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/287513 for methodology example.

67. Q: The task 1 description describes data and reports provided by the OFHPGB Knowledge Network team. Can GSA elaborate on the kind of data and reports that will be provided?

A: Please reference websites where leading high performance green buildings research is published such as DOE labs, DOE, EERE, Center for Built Environment, Carnegie Mellon University.

68. Q: Should the selected contractor(s) expect to develop new data in addition to that which is provided?

A: New the development of “new data,” is not expected, please refer to Translation Task

69: Q: Will the final deliverable of the visualization task be publicly accessible, accessible to GSA employees and contractors only or accessible to GSA employees only?

A: All final deliverables will be owned by the U.S. Government and are expected to be public information available to all.

70: Q: Is the proposal team required to have all the NAICS codes (9) listed on page 68 of the RFP?

A: Please refer to the FAR

71: Q: Under which contract vehicle will this work be performed? Page 67 specifies the following regarding pricing proposals, “…must clearly identify discounts from the GSA Pricing Schedule,”

A: Please refer to Amendment #2