H98210-11-R-0032 Amendment 1.doc

SECTION SF 30 BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

SECTION SF 1449 - CONTINUATION SHEET

The following have been added by full text:

Vendor Question and Answers – H98210-11-R-0032

1. I am hoping to find out some additional information regarding the Survey Services and Market Research Solicitation that was released on FedBizOpps yesterday. I am trying to confirm if this is a follow-on for a JAMRS requirement currently being performed by Mullen Advertising (Contract # W91WAW07D0012). If not, could you please provide me with the incumbent contractor and contract number? Any information you are able to provide is greatly appreciated.

A1.

This is not a follow-on to the JAMRS requirement currently being performed by Mullen Advertising. The incumbent contractor is Fors Marsh Group and the contract number is M67004-10-D-0009.

2. Is this the same contract that Fors March Group LLC was awarded a couple years ago as a sole source/direct award? If you can’t answer this question….I have posed the two following.

A2.

The original contract was competed as a small business set-aside and awarded to the Fors Marsh Group.

3. Is this a new contract or a re-bid?

A3.

See A1.

4. Is Fors Marsh Group the current or previous service provider?

A4.

Fors Marsh Group is the current service provider.

5. Will there be other concurrent research that might influence or be combined with the JAMRS research initiative during the onset of the project? If so, will we need to integrate our research efforts with theirs?

A5.

The solicitation does not identify one specific project. Specific task orders for individual projects will reference how previous research will need to be integrated. For tracking studies, JAMRS will require continuation of trend lines.

6. Can we include in our proposal examples of our graphically engaging presentations since that appears to be important for the Executive Notes deliverable?

A6.

Proposals may include anything that demonstrates the capability to meet the requirements of the PWS, as long as the proposal does not exceed page limitations.

7. Will we need to utilize historical data used in the past to help other Services and JAMRS evaluate advertising agencies or can the advertising metrics proposed be new and less traditional?

A7.

Historical data will need to be utilized to present and maintain trend lines for advertising metrics. Additional metrics may be proposed along with historical metrics.

8. Currently the Adult influencer sample contains the following: 1,125 influencers of youth aged 12-21 per calendar year quarter and shall consist of 375 mothers of youth, 375 fathers of youth, 188 grandparents of youth and 187 other influencers which can include relatives, teachers, guidance counselors or other influential persons. What is the possibility of including additional sample to cover significant others/spouses as a sub-group? (Girlfriends of young men 17-21 can be highly influential on their interest/resistance to enlisting)

A8.

This is not a requirement of the PWS.

9. What information/qualifications might disallow a partner or subcontractor from being accepted (i.e., not having US Citizenship or an issued DUNS)?

A9.

This is up to the Prime contractor.

10a. Regarding section 4.11, will management and development of an entirely new database be required or will there be management and integration needed for an existing database containing millions of entries of personal information.

A10a.

Paragraph 4.11 specified provision of survey database management, the Government will provide the information to be managed for surveying purposes. The Contractor shall store information (e.g., a sample frame) on a secure server.

10b. If a new database is required, can this be housed at the contractor's site in a secured place or does this need to be housed at Headquarters in Washington?

A10b.

A new database is not required. However, the Contractor will be required to store information (such as survey sample frames) on a secure server.

11. Is there an existing training program of specific tools such as Nielsen Caritas Segmentation in place, or can we propose to develop a new training model with new segmentation and cluster analyses, methods and tools for JAMRS, DoD affiliated research staff?

A11.

The proposal may describe development of a new training model with existing segmentation tools such as Nielsen Claritas as well as new segmentation and cluster analyses, methods and tools for JAMRS, DoD affiliated research staff.

12. Solicitation Number: H98210-11-R-0032 is noted Total Small Business.

Clarify/define – Standard Size 7 million?

A12. A size standard, which is usually stated in number of employees or average annual receipts, represents the largest size that a business (including its subsidiaries and affiliates) may be to remain classified as a small business for SBA and federal contracting programs.

13. What is your expenditure threshold (maximum) for the first year of award and each additional optional year.

A13.

There is no maximum expenditure threshold. Previous years’ requirements averaged approximately $6 million.

14. Who has they worked with prior to this solicitation (name of company)?

A14.

See answer to question 4.

15. What is the amount of anticipated and actual spending in previous years?

A15.

See answer to Q13.

16. What are the reasons for soliciting a new vendor (particular strengths or weaknesses of previous vendor)? The solicitation includes as one of the requirements—Past Performance Summaries

A16.

It was an internal business decision.

17. What is the expected annual number of focus group under this contract?

A17.

At this time, the JAMRS program does not know the expected number of focus groups. In past years, the number of focus groups has ranged from ten to thirty five.

18. How many contracts does the government anticipate awarding?

A18.

The government intends to award a single contract.

19. Am I to get the Past Performance Evaluation forms completed by my clients, or provide the forms (with the top portion describing the work filled out) to the DoD for you to request it from my client? In any case, should copies of these forms be included in our response?

A19.

See Section B (IV) on page 19 of the Instructions to Offerors. Offerors shall complete entire Past Performance Questionnaire and submit with proposal.

20. Also, on a more general question, the RFP provides two Sample Task Orders. Is the research in the Sample Tasks actually being solicited or is it just being presented as an example to provide a framework for the RFP?

A20.

The Sample Tasks are examples of the type of work required by the JAMRS program. Offerors should treat the Sample Task as if they are being solicited in their proposals. While, the Sample Tasks will not be awarded at the time of contract, they may be required in the future at the discretion of the Government.

21. How many past performance questionnaires required for each prime and subcontractor?

A21.

See revisions in Amendment 1 of Instructions to Offerors section 3 B (iii) Past Performance References. .

22. Does the Center expect to make multiple awards under this procurement?

A22.

See answer to Question 18.

23. Must subcontractors meet small business requirement?

A23.

Small business requirements apply to all small businesses.

24. Are any special SB certifications required?

A24.

Complete Representations and Certifications of Offeror (FAR Clause 52.212-3 Alt I).

25. Will there be specific survey services/methodologies requested?

A25.

Specific methodologies, if required, will be spelled out in Task Orders

26. Is there a page limit for the Past Performance sections of the proposal (Volume II, Sections iii and iv)?

A26.

No

27. Is JAMRS planning on making an award for either of the two sample tasks as a result of this proposal?

A27.

See answer to Question 20

28. At any given time, how many tasks will the selected firm be handling concurrently?

A28.

The selected firm should anticipate handling between 6 and 10 task orders concurrently.

29. This almost sounds like a custom panel rather than a research database. Will the data we would be storing simply respondent contact information or is it their actual survey data?

A29.

The database will be used to house any survey frame information for large scale mail surveys and for housing and keeping track of survey respondent data.

30. What survey platform would the data be collected on (ours? Another system? Multiple systems?)

A30.

The survey platform will vary by task order and be up to the discretion of the Offeror.

31. Is there any historical data that needs to be incorporated? If so, what format is it in?

A31.

Historical data will need to be incorporated as specified in each task order.

32. Is there any other system or platform that this database needs to be able to “talk” to?

A32.

No. There is no other system or platform that this database needs to be able to “talk” to.

33. Will the DOD need an interface they can use to access the database directly or will access be restricted to our teams?

A33.

The DoD will not need an interface to access the database, however, it will need access to datasets.

The following have been modified:

ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1

INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

OFFERORS SHOULD NOTE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING PROPOSAL SUBMISSION:

1. CCR: Any Offeror that submits a proposal in response to this solicitation must be registered in the Central Contractors Registration (CCR), in accordance with FAR Clause 52.232-33 and DFARS Clauses 252.201-7000 and 252.204-7004 Alt A, prior to contract award. Registration information can be found at https://www.bpn.gov/ccr/default.aspx.

2. Communication: Solicitation information and amendments will be posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website at www.fbo.gov. Offerors may email written questions requesting clarification of the Request for Proposal (RFP) to the Contract Specialist, Matthew Poole, at: matthew.poole@osd.pentagon.mil. No information concerning this solicitation or requests for clarification will be provided in response to telephone calls. Questions will be received up to 2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on June 28, 2011. Questions received after this time and date may not be answered.

3. Proposal Submissions: All proposal submissions in response to this solicitation must be received no later than 2:00 PM EST on July 20, 2011. No electronic submissions will be accepted. Submit proposals to the address below:

DHRA PSO

Attn: Matthew Poole Survey Services and Market Research Solicitation # H98210-11-R-0032 4040 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 120

Arlington, VA 22203

Proposal: Proposals shall be separated into the following three (3) volumes. Each volume shall be submitted in individual folders:

A. VOLUME I – Business Proposal: Offerors shall submit one (1) hard copy of Volume I. This volume shall include:

i. Signed copy of the Standard Form 1449, with blocks 17 and 30 completed.

ii. Signed copy of the Standard Form 30 of any amendments issued against this RFP.

iii. Offeror’s DUNS number, Cage Code, and Tax ID number.

iv. Completed Representations and Certifications of Offeror (FAR Clause 52.212-3 Alt I and DFARS Clause DFARS 252.212-7000).

v. All completed clauses that require an offeror’s response.

B. VOLUME II – Technical Proposal: Offerors shall submit one (1) original and three (3) hard copies of Volume II. This volume shall include:

i. Technical Proposal: This section shall address the technical requirements of the PWS and Evaluation Factors (See Attachment A). The technical proposal shall not exceed 30 pages, excluding resumes.

ii. Sample Task Orders: Attached to this solicitation are two sample task orders (Attachment C – Sample Task 1 – JAMRS Advertising Tracking System) of possible work to be completed under 4.6 of the PWS; Attachment D – Sample Task 2 – Social Media Study) of possible work to be completed under 4.5 of the PWS. Offerors shall submit a technical proposal addressing the requirements of each Sample Task Order at Attachment C & D. Each proposal shall be annotated to the corresponding attachment. Each sample task proposal shall not exceed 20 pages.

iii. Past Performance References: Offerors shall submit no more than 3-5 relevant and recent past performance references for both prime and subcontractors. All references shall address current projects or those completed within the last three years. The Past Performance reference information shall include the following:

· Name, email, and telephone numbers for points of contact

· Project Name

· Date of Contract

· Type of Contract

· Dollar Value of Contract

· Period of Performance

· Description of services/supplies provided

· Description of the relevance to the current requirement being solicited

Should the offeror possess no relevant past performance, a written statement shall be provided by the offeror so indicating. In this case, the offeror will not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance and will be assigned a rating of Unknown Confidence.

iv. Past Performance Relevancy Questionnaire: Offerors shall complete and include a Past Performance Relevancy Questionnaire for each reference being submitted (See Attachment B).

C. VOLUME III – Price Proposal: Offerors shall submit one (1) hard copy of Volume III. This volume shall include:

i. Offerors shall provide the labor categories and fully burdened labor rates proposed for completing the tasks of this requirement, for the Base and all Option years. Each labor category proposed for this contract shall be clearly defined.

ii. Sample Tasks Pricing: Offerors shall submit a price proposal for each sample task and be annotated to the corresponding attachment (Attachment C – Sample Task 1 – JAMRS Advertising Tracking System; Attachment D – Sample Task 2 – Social Media Study). Pricing for each task shall include labor categories, fully burdened labor rates and hours.

(End of Instructions to Offerors) (End of Summary of Changes)