Culture_Ready_Basics_QA_RFP_H9821019R0011.pdf

Questions and Responses- Culture Ready Basics to RFP No. H9821019R0011

Q1. Please clarify the requirements for past performance. One place in the RFP says that the past performance examples should be within the past 5 years, and other places indicate 3 years.

A1. Reference revised Attachment A: Evaluation Factors, Criteria, and Rating Methods, paragraph 5.2.1 Recency: All references to “3” years are hereby changed to read “5” years based on the issue date of this RFP in determining recency.

Reference revised Attachment A, paragraph 3.2.1, last sentence: Change as follows: “Contracts completed within the last 5 years from the date of solicitation issuance shall be considered recent.”

Q2. Given that the base period is only 9 months (instead of 12), is the government expecting that training will still be developed for 2 languages within that time period?

A2. No, the Contractor’s language development work requirements for the base period will be appropriately adjusted by the Government to align with the reduced period of performance.

Q3. (PWS 4.0) This RFP refers to lessons being developed in the CRB Language Tool. Does this mean ALL lessons on the website cited?

A3. The RFP refers to the development and maintenance of lessons for the CultureReady Basics language training tool. The RFP does not reference the development or maintenance of any other lessons found on the www.CultureReady.org website.

Q4. PWS 4.2 a. WHAT is/are the target language(s)?

A4a. Government Response: The current target languages are in accordance with the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act Section 1263. Follow on languages will be in accordance with any amendments to that NDAA.

Q4b. How many?

A4b. Government Response: In accordance with the PWS Background, “Historically, as part of the CultureReady basics online portal, the Government has required lesson content and associated service support for approximately two primary languages as well as government required regional language dialects support (as needed) per contract year.”

Q5. Based on the RFP and PWS terms and conditions, industry assumes the government has an annual budget for this program. Will the government communicate their budget information as it pertains to this program?

http://www.cultureready.org/

A5. No, the Government will not publish the Government estimate or annual budget information.

Q6. Will the government provide the English content for the all the languages in the foreign language instruction?

A6. No, the government will not provide the English content. The written record of the scenarios (in English) will be collected in accordance with PWS 4.2.

Q7. How many foreign languages and scenarios will be developed?

A7. In accordance with the PWS, ‘the Government has required lesson content and associated service support for approximately two primary languages as well as government required regional language dialects support (as needed) per contract year” The amount of scenarios will be the amount it takes to meet PWS requirement 4.2.1.

Q8. What is the estimated number of hours of instruction for each of the given scenarios and the foreign language course?

A8. The current courses consists of 4 lessons, on average, each lesson takes an individual 30 minutes to complete. The duration variations were usually based on language proficiency skills.

Q9. Does the government have foreign language subject matter experts that can review the developed foreign language content?

A9. Yes, the government has foreign language subject matter experts. However, review of the developed foreign language content will be based on the submitted test plan in accordance with

PWS 4.8.

Q10. Who is the foreign language target audience?

A10. The target audience originally was the Language Flagship, a program funded by the Defense Language and National Security Education Office. However after the first Foreign Language Editions of the CultureReady Basics, the audience has grown to include the National Language Service Corps, Foreign Area Officers, and other language professionals.

Q11. What is the deliverable? A word based storyboard of the scenario/lesson/course content? A fully functional html5 file with the content?

A11. Contract deliverables are stated in PWS 5.0. The primary as well as overarching deliverable requirement is the development and maintenance of the CultureReady Basics foreign language course content that is accessible through the www.CultureReady.org website. The remaining portion of Q11 is not clear to the government.

Q12. If a fully functional html5 file is the base deliverable, will the government provide the flex templates required to create the course content?

http://www.cultureready.org/

A12. No, the PWS does not specify format for the base deliverable. However, in accordance with the PWS 4.12.1. ‘The awarded contractor receives the source code from the incumbent not later than five days after contract award. Source Code is defined as Computer program written in a high-level language which is converted into machine language that can be executed directly by a computer without any conversion by a compiler. The source code is the only stage where a programmer can read and modify a computer program.’

Q13. a. Will the students be assessed on their understanding of the content?

A13a. Government Response: No, the students are not assessed on their understanding of the content.

Q13b. If so, what type of assessment is required?

A13b. Government Response: Not applicable.

Q14. If assessed, what is the target LMS?

A14. No, there is no Learning Management System (LMS) required.

Q15. What are the target languages or how many target languages will be addressed in the first period of performance and deliverable?

A15. See A4 and A7.

Q16. What are the target areas/countries/cultures in the initial period of performance?

A16. The target languages are in accordance with the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act Section 1263. Follow on languages will be in accordance with any amendments to that NDAA. Target languages will be provided to contractors as needed.

Q17. Is the target audience US personnel speaking a foreign language or is it the foreign/allied personnel?

A17. See A10 above.

Q18. Will a full copy of the English content from CultureReady Basics website be available outside of the training platform for offeror/winners use?

A18. No.

Q19. Should content produced be original or simply translations of existing content?

A19. Yes, the content produced must be original in accordance with the PWS, the scenarios are collected (4.2), then translated into the target language (4.2.2.).

Q20. Will the translations and scenarios be for specific cultures or just generally in the target language?

A20. The translations and scenarios will be in the target language and in accordance with the PWS. Scenarios are collected (4.2) and then translated into the target language (4.2.2.).

Q21. a. Should scenarios have a military focus or be generally applicable to cross-cultural learning/interaction?

A21a. Government Response: No, the scenarios do not have to be military focused, they should be generally applicable to cross-cultural learning/ interactions. In accordance with the PWS 4.2, ‘Collect scenarios based on interactions of at least 10 individuals who have experience living, working, or studying in areas that speak the target language.’

Q21b. Will there be scenarios required to emulate advisors to selected languages?

A21b. Government Response: No, scenarios should be generally applicable to cross-cultural learning/ and interactions.

Q22. What languages are anticipated as referenced in the PWS. There is an evaluation factor regarding the experience of the SMEs, so knowing which target languages would be helpful.

A22. The languages are in accordance with the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act, Section 1263. Follow on languages will be in accordance with any amendments to that

NDAA.

In accordance with the PWS 4.2, “Collect scenarios based on interactions of at least 10 individuals who have experience living, working, or studying in areas that speak the target language.”

Q23. Depending on the required target languages, are there any regionally specific areas or dialects to be considered (i.e. French/France vs. French/African Nations)?

A23. The languages are in accordance with the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act Section 1263. Follow on languages will be in accordance with any amendments to that NDAA. The government will determine the dialects based on DoD Strategy requirements.

Q24a. Is the intention that the newly designed courses follow the same script/format/look and feel of the ones currently available on the CultureReady Basics website?

A24a. No, it is not the Government’s intention that newly designed courses follow the same script/format/look and feel of current courses available on the CultureReady Basics website.

However, all course design must be performed in accordance with the PWS.

Q24b. Is the DLNSEO open to alternate designs to the current 5?

A24b. Yes, DLNSEO is open to alternate course designs in accordance with PWS requirements.

Q25. What approval process, if any, will be used to determine acceptance of the written scripts and scenarios?

A25. The Contracting Officer Representative (COR) ensures that all deliverables are in accordance with the PWS. The scripts and scenarios are based on PWS 4.2 requirements.

Additionally, the Government evaluates the written scripts and scenarios during the testing phase of the product in accordance with PWS 4.8.

Q26 A. Is the purpose of Attachment B to provide the government a reference for a past performance reference?

A26A. Yes, in accordance with the Instruction to Offerors all past performance reference information needs to be submitted in accordance with Attachment B: Past Performance Relevancy Questionnaire. The instructions to Offerors provides details on the use of PPRQ and how the Government will assess performance information regarding the provided reference.

Q26B: If so is it the intent of the government to pursue the Past Performance Questionnaire with that identified reference?

A26B: Reference revised Attachment A: Evaluation Factors, Criteria and Rating Methods, paragraph 2.2.1. “Offerors are advised that the Government may use all data provided by the Offeror in this proposal and data obtained from other sources, including, but not limited to, other DHRA contracts and information from Government repositories (e.g., Contractor Performance and Reporting System (CPARS)). The Past Performance Evaluation results in an assessment of the offeror’s probability of meeting the solicitation requirements, based on past performance information. The Performance Confidence Assessment rating is assessed as an overall factor after evaluating aspects of the offeror’s recent past performance, focusing on performance that is relevant to the technical factors and cost or price.”

Q26C: If so are the Attachment B references due at the same time as the rest of the proposal?

A26C: Yes, the offeror is required to submit completed Attachment B reference forms in accordance with instructions to offerors, paragraph 7, Volume III, Past Performance Proposal.

This information must be properly submitted together with the total proposal, before the solicitation closing date and time.

Q27 a. What languages need to be supported?

A27a. Government Response: See A4 and A7.

Q27b.How many languages will need to be developed each year?

A27b. Government Response: See A4 and A7.

Q27c. How many will need to be modified?

A27c. Government Response: No languages will have to be modified.

Q28. a. How much training content is expected in each module?

A28a. Government Response: Examples of training content can be found in PWS section 15, Applicable Documents by following a link to the CultureReady Basics courses.

Q28b.In terms of student hours?

A28b. Government Response: The current courses consists of 4 lessons, on average, each lesson takes an individual 30 minutes to complete. The duration variations were usually based on language proficiency skills.

Q28c. Please provide a summary of the training content and examples.

A28c. See A28a.

Q29. a. Does the content require culture general or culture/regional expertise specific?

A29a. Government Response: The content will be developed based on real scenarios, analyzed (or mapped) to be in accordance with the culture competencies listed in the DoDI

5160.70 and in accordance with PWS requirements 4.2 and 4.2.1.

Q29b. Or if a combination, what percentage of each?

A29b. Government Response: Not applicable.

Q30. a. Are they to be completely in the target language?

A30a. Government Response: In accordance with the PWS requirement 4.2.2., all scenarios must be translated into the target language.

Q30b. If not what percentage of English and target language?

A30b. Government Response: All scenarios must be translated into the target language.

Q31. What is required to "complete" a class?

A31. Government Response: Users will have the ability to create a certificate of completion at the end of each lesson.

Q32. Does this require a physical site? Need it be in the Washington, DC metro area?

A32. Government Response: No, reference PWS section 11.0 Place of Performance is at the contractor’s facility

Q33. What is the content/technology platform in use?

A33. The PWS does not specify format for the base deliverable. However, in accordance with the PWS 4.12.1. “The awarded contractor receives the source code from the incumbent not later than five days after contract award. Source Code is defined as Computer program written in a high-level language which is converted into machine language that can be executed directly by a computer without any conversion by a compiler. The source code is the only stage where a programmer can read and modify a computer program.”

Q34. Is it in an Learning Management System (LMS) already? Is it in an Learning Content Management System (LCMS)already? If so, which one?

A34. No, this system is not involved in an LMS or LCMS.

Q35. a. Is there currently animation?

A35. Government Response: No, there is currently not a requirement for animation.

Q35b. What level of animation is desired?

A35b. Government Response: In accordance with the PWS requirement 4.3.4.

Incorporate images of the target area that represent what is being portrayed in the collected scenarios. Each frame must feature at least one image. Also in PWS requirement 4.3.4.1. Include scenario narration with animation and moving images.

Q36. To allow for a wider relevant perspective of past performances, will the Government accept a Subcontractor’s Past Performance when that Subcontractor performed the work as prime contractor?

A36. No, as stated in the Instruction to Offerors “Subcontractors Past Performance will not be reviewed for Attachment B; therefore the Government is only reviewing Past Performance from Offerors who performed work as prime contractor”.

Q37. What are the languages that are planned to be developed?

A37. See A4 and A7.

Q38. In what format will the source code be sent to the awarded contractor?

A38. The source code will be transferred in accordance with the PWS 4.12.13. “Transfer the source code electronically. Depending on the size of the file, arrangements to download the data from the incumbent will be coordinated through the COR for the awarded contractor.”

Q39. Is the translation tool included in the source code that will be given?

A39. No, the translation assistance capability is not part of the source code. The translation assistance capability is a requirement listed in the PWS 4.3.1. The awarded contractor will, 'Include a translation assistance capability that gives learners the ability to request translation hints in English to assist the learner with lesson content.'

Q40. The requested staffing plan calls for a "scientist" and "senior scientist." Do these positions need to be language specific?

A40. No the "scientist" and "senior scientist" positions do not have to be language specific.

End of document.