H9821021Q00010001.pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30-105-04EXCEPTION TO SF 30

APPROVED BY OIRM 11-84

STANDARD FORM 30 (Rev. 10-83) Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

The purpose of this amendment is to update the addenda to FAR 52.212-1 and 52.212-2, extend offer due date, revise the PWS and provide answ ers to questions.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE PAGE OF PAGES

Y 1 55

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

16C. DATE SIGNED

BY 01-Jul-2021

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA15C. DATE SIGNED15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of Contracting Officer)(Signature of person authorized to sign)

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., Street, County, State and Zip Code) X H9821021Q0001

X 9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

09-Jun-2021

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

X The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offer X is extended, is not extended.

Offer must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN

REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE

CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(B).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

10A. MOD. OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO.(If applicable)

6. ISSUED BY

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

01-Jul-2021

CODE

DEFENSE HUMAN RESOURCES ACTIVITY

4800 MARK CENTER DRIVE,

SUITE 03E25

ALEXANDRIA VA 22350-4000

H98210 7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than item 6)

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.

CODE

See Item 6

FACILITY CODECODE

EMAIL:TEL:

H9821021Q0001

SECTION SF 30 BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

SECTION SF 1449 - CONTINUATION SHEET

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

The required response date/time has changed from 08-Jul-2021 02:00 PM to 15-Jul-2021 10:00 AM.

The following have been added by full text:

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Question 1: How many FTEs (number of contractor personnel) are requested/required for this support?

Answer: It is estimated at 4 FTEs and 5 part time FTEs in the base period and 5 FTEs and 5 part time FTEs in the option periods.

RFQ Change: None

Question 2: How many contractor personnel are performing this support currently?

Answer: 8 FTEs and 5 part time FTEs across two separate contracts however, this contract is not exactly the same as the previous.

RFQ Change: None

Question 3: Would you kindly confirm if this is an entirely new effort or is there an incumbent currently providing these services? If so, would you kindly provide the incumbent contract details (contractor name, contract number)?

Answer: This is a consolidation of H9821020C0010 to Vistra Communications and H9821019F0375 to The Bowen Group.

RFQ Change: None

Question 4: What is the size/level of effort for this procurement?

Answer: See the response to Question 1 RFQ Change: None

Question 5: No mention of the incumbent in this work is provided. Gould the government provide the name of the incumbent, their contract number and if possible, contract value?

Answer: See the response to Question 3. Contract value for H9821020C0010 is $2,735,998.44. Contract value for H9821019F0375 is $3,466,617.60. However, please note the new contract is not exactly the same as those.

RFQ Change: None

Question 6: In what way, if any, does Service Contract Law / SCA apply to this effort? (pg.s 44, 51, 52, 53 mention Service Contract Labor Standards) Answer: The Government determined these are professional services so the SCA does not apply to this requirement.

RFQ Change: None

Question 7: IF SCA applies, can the Government provide a list of Equivalent Government Hires, should the Government be performing this effort with its own employees?

Answer: See the response to Question 6 RFQ Change: None

Question 8: If there is an incumbent contractor, can the Government provide current staffing levels and labor categories used?

Answer: See the response to Question 2. Program Manager, Program Analyst, Technical Writer/Editor, Digital Artist, Public Relations Specialist, Health Communications Specialist, Meeting/Event Planner/Public Affairs Specialist, Speech Writer/Communications Specialist, Strategic Planner RFQ Change: None

Question 9: Is any of this effort provided under a Collective Bargaining Agreement currently?

Answer: No RFQ Change: None

Question 10: Para 10.4/pg 22, Personnel Qualifications – Are there Position Descriptions for the positions occupied by contractor personnel on this effort? If so, can these be supplied to bidders?

Answer: No, this will be provided by each contractor as part of their quote.

RFQ Change: None

Question 11: Is this a rebid of an existing contract?

Answer: See the response to Question 3 RFQ Change: None

Question 12: I am hoping to find out if there is an incumbent contractor currently performing these services, if similar services have been performed in the past, or if this is a new requirement. If this is follow‐on requirement, could you please provide the previous contract or task order number.

Answer: See the response to Question 3 RFQ Change: None

Question 13: You note key personnel must be proposed, but key positions do not appear to be cited for the solicitation. Can you clarify what positions are key?

Answer: Key personnel will be proposed by the offeror.

RFQ Change: None

Question 14: On page 28 of 58, you state that submitted resumes must have names redacted. Does the Government require offerors to avoid name key personnel throughout the proposal, to include any organization charts identifying the staffing plan?

Answer: Please avoid using names, use labor categories rather than names for the quote.

RFQ Change: None

Question 15: Is there an incumbent for this work? If so, how many current contracts are in place to perform the tasks covered in this single solicitation?

Answer: See the response to Question 3 RFQ Change: None

Question 16: In addition to the two DSPO strategic off‐sites in Washington, DC and governance structure meetings each year, how many additional meetings must be supported each year, and what is the anticipated number of attendees for each meeting? (PWS 4.3.1.1) Answer: Most locations for support are onsite or virtual. Support needed will depend on who is hosting (for example if the VA is hosting, the contractor may only need to draft minutes) Working groups: 10 ongoing, approximately 10‐15 attendees per group Focus group events: no ongoing groups but anticipate 1‐2 year, approximately 30‐40 attendees Roundtables: no ongoing roundtables but anticipate 1‐2 year, approximately 30‐40 attendees Summits no ongoing summits but anticipate 1‐2 year, approximately 50‐60 attendees Committee meetings: 16‐25 year, approximately 30 ‐ 40 attendees

Ceremonies Appx 1 per calendar year, approximately 150 attendees Tabling events Appx 4 per calendar year, approximately 500

RFQ Change: None

Question 17: Does the Government currently use an existing software platform for support registration for internal and external engagements? If so, what is the name of this platform? (PWS 4.3.3) Answer: Vendor will determine how it will provide and support registration. For most needs the AFIT e‐invitation system has worked fine. For engagements hosted by organizations other than DSPO ‐ in which DSPO is a guest, speaker, participant, etc. – vendor will use the registration platform provided by the hosting organization.

RFQ Change: None

Question 18: How many information papers and other written reports are expected every month? (PWS 4.4.1.2) Answer: Estimate is 20 per month RFQ Change: None

Question 19: Does the Government currently utilize any tools/software solutions to gather, analyze and monitor information? If so, what tools are used, and are these tools required to be used for this solicitation? (PWS 4.4.2) Answer: The present incumbent leverages Quorum software for tracking/monitoring legislation and updates/maintains excel spreadsheet for Government use. The Government uses bots/feeds on Congress.gov for additional monitoring.

RFQ Change: None

Question 20: Does the Government currently utilize any tools/ software solutions to gather and analyze congressional requests for information? If so, what tools are used, and are these tools required to be used for this solicitation? (PWS 4.4.5) Answer: Congressional requests are tasked to Government/DSPO from higher‐level offices within DoD either via email or through the Correspondence and Task Management System (CATMS). DSPO tracks and gathers information for requests via Microsoft products (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) depending on the request. These tools are required to be used.

RFQ Change: None

Question 21: With regard to “develop, create, produce and distribute suicide prevention outreach and communication materials,” how many discrete outreach and communications materials will the offeror develop over the course of a calendar year? (PWS 4.5.1) Answer: Approximately 2 per month, ranging in scope from small (editorial or engagement calendar) to large (communications suite of tools with implementation plan) RFQ Change: None

Question 22: With regard to develop all new electronic media including audio, video and website and online applications can the Government specify the number and types of new electronic media will be developed on an annual basis? (PWS 4.5.1.6) Answer: Approximately 2 per month ‐ Electronic media include (but are not limited to) pre‐recorded digital video messages, media articles / blog posts, content for editorial calendar.

RFQ Change: None

Question 23: With regard to “design training course core competencies, terminal learning objectives, training materials, testing and behavioral assessment to maintain continuing education and competencies” how many discrete training courses, training materials, etc., will be designed on an annual basis? (PWS 4.6.1) Answer: Between 1 and 3, depending on the priorities of the office and variable stakeholder/population needs, which are still to be fully determined. For example, 1 training course could be designed for a general audience or multiple designed for targeted populations (Service Members, spouses/peers, children, leadership, etc.).

Question 24: Will hybrid or virtual provisions need to be considered in planning the biennial conference for future years? (PWS 4.7) Answer: Government will provide venue for in‐person hosting requirements (2023 VA funded, 2025 DoD funded).

If a virtual conference becomes necessary for the 2025 event, a contract modification would be accomplished to accommodate the platform.

RFQ Change: Added PWS paragraph 4.7.13

Question 25: The RFQ specifies that “the government will provide Common Access Card, GFE laptop, and Shared Drive access for a total of eight (8) contractors.” Is 8 contractors the expected number of FTEs for this contract award? Or are other staff members allowed to work on the contract without CAC/GFE access? (PWS 9.1) Answer: Other staff could work on the contract without GFE/CAC access.

RFQ Change: None

Question 26: The RFQ specifies, “A technical volume of no more than 20 pages, describing the staffing plan and key personnel/corporate past experience in sufficient detail to enable the Government to evaluate understanding of the requirements in the PWS and the addenda to 52.212‐2.” Should any part of the technical volume be dedicated to the offeror’s proposed technical approach to successfully performing Tasks 4.2 – 4.10?

Answer: The elements of technical are Key Personnel/Corporate Past Experience and Staffing Plan RFQ Change: None

Question 27: Is the “crosswalk to the PWS” included in the technical approach page limit? Or does it count in the resume section with no page limitations?

Answer: Yes, the only exclusion from the page limitation is redacted resumes RFQ Change: None

Question 28: Will the Government clarify the requirements for what is expected to respond to the “crosswalk of the PWS”? For example, should the crosswalk to the PWS align only to personnel education and experience or all elements of the key personnel (including Labor categories, level of effort, education, and experience?)

Answer: All elements RFQ Change: None

Question 29: Will the government provide key personnel and LCAT requirements this solicitation?

Answer: This will be proposed by the offeror.

RFQ Change: None

Question 30: The RFQ states that the “government will fill in the not to exceed amounts for the travel and materials”. Will the government provide more detail on the purpose, frequency, location, and number of travelers required for this contract?

Answer: Travel and materials are in support of DSPO engagement in conferences and other opportunities to present DSPO information ‐ historically 3‐4 events per year with 2‐3 contract staff traveling in support within the Continental U.S. With the exception of the 2023 and 2025 DoD/VA Conferences, which will require surge in number of contract staff that travel. However, these will all be dependent on re‐opening and return to in‐person engagements. Known events include: Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors Conference (location TBD), DoD/VA Suicide Prevention Conference (location TBD), American Association of Suicidology Conference.

RFQ Change: None

Question 31: We understand the requirement that offerors redact staff names in the technical sections. To clarify:

‐In addition to the technical sections, must offerors also redact staff names in resumes, which will be included in an appendix?

‐When referring to Key Personnel, we are assuming that we must redact the names as well. Is that correct?

Answer: Correct

Question 32: Which positions are considered to be Key Personnel?

‐By Key Personnel, does the Government intend for offerors to specify which staff are proposed as Key?

‐Is the Government requiring all proposed staff to be considered Key?

Answer: This will be proposed by the offeror RFQ Change: None

Question 33: For the training and education tasks:

‐Who are the intended audiences for the training? How many people per year?

‐How many trainings per year?

‐What type(s) of training – virtual, classroom, blended learning?

‐How many hours per class?

‐Please provide a sample of the learning objectives and curricula. Is the curriculum satisfactory, or does it require development or modification?

Answer:

‐ Audience will vary, as will number of those trained (due to chance of multiple targeted populations).

‐ The requirement would be for full course development (to include evaluation), but should not include the delivery/provision of the direct training course, as this will be completed by stakeholder offices. Perhaps 1 to 3 Train‐the‐Trainer sessions will be necessary, depending on the number of full courses being developed.

‐ The Train‐the‐Trainer for the full course will likely be virtual, the courses developed will likely need to be created in a way that could be presented virtually, in a classroom setting, or in a blended learning scenario.

‐ 3 hours for the Train‐the‐Trainer, likely 1 hour for each training course developed.

‐ Learning objectives will be developed after gaining a better understanding of the needs of our stakeholders via an environmental scan and stakeholder discussion. Learning objectives for most training would include identification of individuals or attributes of concern and then development/practice of an intervention/skill or guidance on procedural/systemic changes to support the individual or attribute of concern.

RFQ Change: None

Question 34: Are personnel required to work on‐site, especially if they are non‐essential, if telework is permissible, and in light of relevant Covid rules for the workplace?

Answer: At this time, no personnel can work on‐site and all are teleworking. DHRA will provide guidance when working in the Mark Center can resume and the Contracting Officer or the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will coordinate with the contractor. When the capability to work on‐site returns, on‐site support will be provided in accordance with PWS sections 9.1 and 10.0.

RFQ Change: None

Question 35: Is there an incumbent for this effort? If so, can the government please provide the contract number?

Answer: See the response to Question 3 RFQ Change: None

Question 36: Is there an estimate of the number of events to be planned for the year? (PWS 4.3) Answer: See response to Question 16

RFQ Change: None

Question 37: Will the contractor be responsible for developing and maintaining the event web page and mobile app? (PWS 4.5.7)

Answer: For the purposes of the 2023 conference, no. The Veterans Affairs (VA) Suicide Prevention Program (SPP) will have lead/point on all technical aspects, including the event page and or mobile app. Because it is biennial, the 2025 conference would then fall on the DSPO team and contract support for these technical items.

RFQ Change: None

Question 38: Does the government anticipate the centralized compliance review tracking mechanism being an online tool or a product developed in excel? (PWS 4.8.5) Answer: See deliverables table in PWS section 5.0, it is Excel RFQ Change: None

Question 39: Is the contractor permitted to propose Other Direct Costs for tools needed to successfully accomplish contract tasks (e.g., media monitoring)? If so, where should these values be incorporated?

Answer: ODCs would need to be included in the FFP line items X001 and information provided in the breakdown of the price in the pricing volume.

RFQ Change: Revised the addenda to 52.212‐1

Question 40: Key personnel are listed as a main component of the technical approach and evaluation criteria;

however, no key personnel labor categories are identified. What are the key personnel requirements and does the government have prescribed key personnel roles and labor categories for this effort?

Answer: This will be proposed by the offeror.

RFQ Change: None

Question 41: Instructions to offerors indicate that the “technical volume should describe the staffing plan and key personnel/corporate past experience in sufficient detail to enable the Government to evaluate understanding of the PWS.” Can the government confirm that the contractor is not required to provide an approach to each PWS task area as part of this response?

Answer: Confirmed. The right staffing plan, personnel experience and corporate experience will demonstrate understanding of the requirements and provide enough information for determining the best value.

RFQ Change: None

Question 42: Can the government confirm if they would like a 60‐day transition plan included as part of the offeror’s response? If so, is this included in the technical volume 20‐page limit?

Answer: Instructions are for the labor category(s) level of effort and tasks planned for the transition and will be included in the technical volume within the 20‐page limit.

RFQ Change: None

Question 43: Is the offeror able to submit its price proposal in excel; required to complete the SF 1449 price schedule, beginning on page 3 of the solicitation document; or will the government provide a pricing template?

Answer: The government will not provide a pricing template, this is a decision that can be made by the offeror in accordance with FAR 52.212‐1 and the addendum to FAR 52.212‐1 RFQ Change: None

Question 44: As part of the pricing submission, does the government require an LCAT breakdown by task area?

Answer: See revised instructions.

RFQ Change: Revised addendum to FAR 52.212‐1

Question 45: Please confirm whether past performance examples should be within the last three or five years?

Answer: Past Performance is being removed. Corporate past experience may be used for the technical quote.

Past performance will be reviewed for responsibility purposes only for apparent successful offeror, see revised addendum to 52.212‐1 and 52.212‐2 RFQ Change: Revised the addenda to 52.212‐1 and 52.212‐2

Question 46: Are there font and size requirements for the technical approach? If so, can tables, charts and graphics be in a reduced font?

Answer: Technical Volume (not approach) instructions revised for font guidance.

RFQ Change: Revised the addenda to 52.212‐1

Question 47: Does the government require contractors to have CAC/PIV badges prior to beginning work?

Answer: To access the government network yes, but all must achieve CAC Ready Status prior to beginning work, see PWS 7.5.1 RFQ Change: None

Question 48: Does the government require contractors to have access to PII or PHI?

Answer: No access to PHI but there will be PII for onboarding the contract staff. Phone rosters/recall rosters have personal contact information.

RFQ Change: None

Question 49: Is it correct to assume that such a "centralized tracking mechanism" does not currently exist? (PWS 4.4.2)

Answer: Correct. Present incumbent leverages Quorum software for tracking/monitoring legislation and updates/maintains excel spreadsheet for Government use. The Government uses bots/feeds on Congress.gov for additional monitoring.

Question 50: Some of these publication and communication sources charge subscription fees (specifically “commercial congressional and legal databases”). Will the Government pay for the subscriptions to these sources, or should the Contractor include that pricing in the proposal? (PWS 4.4.2)

Answer: We are paying for the end results. ODCs would need to be included in the FFP line items X001 and information provided in the breakdown of the price in the pricing volume.

RFQ Change: Revised the addenda to 52.212‐1

Question 51: What will JSP be doing for media monitoring? (PWS 4.5.1)

Answer: To our knowledge, JSP does not provide or support media monitoring.

Question 52: Can the Government provide an estimate for how frequently material shipping requests will be made? (PWS 4.5.1.3)

Answer: Approximately 6 times per year

Question 53: There are technologies and tools that can be used for message testing as well as qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Can the Government provide more clarity about what is meant by “market‐ testing of messages and tactics, tracking tactic development and execution”? (PWS 4.5.2)

Answer: Contractor has flexibility to use proven methods based on established research‐based approaches/messaging (quantitative or qualitative), or may leverage contractor‐owned/licensed tools/technologies. The contractor will provide updates to the Government upon request, leveraging the process/tool/system the contractor is using to track and monitor progress.

Question 54: Is the Government going to provide access to its social media accounts to the Contractor? (PWS 4.5.3)

Answer: Yes

Questions 55: Will the Government provide a Learning Management System and, if so, which one? (PWS 4.6.4)

Answer: This will be identified when it is known, it may be a learning management system or other identified format and/or venue per the PWS.

Question 56: Can the Government advise how many training courses the Contractor will support annually in regard to designing course core competencies, terminal learning objectives, training materials, testing, and behavioral assessment? (PWS 4.6.4)

Answer: 1 to 3 full training courses.

Question 57: Does the Client require SharePoint support (e.g. design and management) as part of this contract?

Answer: The vendor will have access to SharePoint for document sharing, providing updates, workload management tool, etc.

Question 58: Does the Government envision expanding its use of automated data analysis tools and, if so, should Contractors include pricing in the quote?

Answer: Not at this time as it relates to the requirements of this contract.

Question 59: Can the following information pertaining to the incumbent contract be provided?

a. Incumbent Vendor Name

b. Incumbent Contract No.

c. Confirm the initial Full Time Employee (FTE) requirement is for a total of 8 personnel

d. Current Incumbent Labor Categories

Answer: See the response to Questions 3 and 8

Question 60: What is the tentative Period of Performance for this contract?

Answer: See RFQ pages 25 ‐ 26

Question 61: What does the Government anticipate regarding a FTE count for this effort?

Answer: See the response to Question 1

Question 62: The PWS includes a very broad scope of work that covers multiple work products and service offerings. Section 5.0 specifies many deliverables that require concurrent execution of intermediate products to produce the stated deliverables. Section 9.1 specifies a total of eight contractors. Is the Government open to considering a staffing plan of more than eight contractors to minimize risk? Having a cap of eight contractors for a broad scope of work with many concurrent activities and deliverables introduces risk for not producing deliverables on‐time and may lead to DSPO's failure to meet mission‐essential activities.

Answer: The government will provide Common Access Card, GFE laptop and Shared Drive access for a total of eight (8) contractors. The government will provide adequate office space for four (4) of those contractors on‐site.

Additional personnel may be required to fulfill the requirements of this contract. Other staff could work on the contract without GFE/CAC access. The contractor will determine how it will handle work arrangements outside the 4 available spaces. (note that on site will only be possible when local procedures allow return to the office, as due to the pandemic operations in the Mark Center have not yet resumed for DSPO)

Question 63: The RFQ indicates a Program Manager as Key Personnel. Are there any specific education/experience requirements for this candidate?

Answer: Key personnel along with specific education/experience will be proposed by the offeror.

Question 64: For any other personnel indicated in our staffing plan, are there any specific education/experience requirements that the government would like to see?

Answer: All personnel along with specific education/experience will be proposed by the offeror, the information provided will be used to determine the best value.

Question 65: Are there any formatting/font requirements for the response, beyond the indicated page limits?

Answer: Instructions added to the addendum to 52.212‐1.

RFQ Change: Revised the addendum to 52.212‐1

Question 66: Are the Technical, Past Performance, Pricing to be submitted as separate volumes or combined in a singular volume with page numbers indicated?

Answer: Past Performance removed, submit two separate volumes

RFQ Change: Revised the addendum to 52.212‐1 to remove past performance

Question 67: PWS 10.0 Given the current COVID pandemic, will the government allow for any leniency regarding core working hours and telework?

Answer: Core hours language removed, support will be required from 0800‐1700. DHRA is currently still in a remote environment and leniency is allowed. Coordinate changes with the COR.

RFQ Change: Revised PWS 10.1

Question 68: Will the government reimburse/allocate for any direct costs (ODC’s)? For example, printed material, maintaining a stock of handouts, printed training materials, etc..

Answer: Only for the actual costs of the outreach materials (no profit or fee), and only after COR approval prior to incurring the costs. All receipts must be uploaded to WAWF with the invoice.

RFQ Change: Revised PWS 4.5.1.3 to clarify

Question 69: Is there an incumbent contractor performing these requirements, and if so, what is the name of the company(s)?

Answer: See the response to Question 3

Question 70: Does the government have an estimated number of FTE’s, or man hours, expected for this requirement.

Answer: See the response to Question 1

Question 71: For the 4 onsite FTEs, which task areas does the government expect them to be supporting?

Answer: There are four on site work spaces available for contractor use as it deems best. For example onsite support roles could be Program Management support (4.2), Congressional/Legislative Support (4.4), Strategy and Policy Support (4.8), and a rotating schedule for (4.6) Training and Education and (4.3) DSPO Event Planning.

Question 72: For section 4.2.4, it is the government intent that the onboarding process apply to civilian, military, and contractor personnel coming in to support them?

Answer: The intent is for the contractor’s Program Management to onboard their contract staff and orient them to the elements stated in 4.2.4 because the Government doesn’t train contractors.

Question 73: For section 4.3.1.1, how many events are planned each year? Would the government be able to provide a list of past events, location venue, and the approximate number of attendees?

Answer: See answer to question 16

Question 74: For section 4.6.1, how many training courses are anticipated for this contract? Would the government be able to provide a list of current training courses and content?

Answer: See answer to question 23

Question 75: For section 4.7.5.2, is there an existing mobile app and if yes, can the new contractor access it to perform updates to the existing mobile app?

Answer: No, because of the alternative lead/point (between DSPO and the VA SPP), the conference’s use of a specific mobile app has shifted or has ceased to be present some years.

Question 76: Is this a new requirement?

Answer: See the response for Question 3

Question 77: If this is not a new requirement, can you provide the name and contract number of the vendor that is currently or has previously supported this requirement?

Answer: See the response for Question 3

Question 78: What date does the Government anticipate awarding the contract and starting work?

Answer: Award as soon as possible, period of performance start is listed on pages 25 – 26.

Question 79: There seems to be a misalignment of the CLINS and Periods of Performance for the base and each of the option periods. Please confirm that the stated Periods of Performance for each CLIN are correct in the solicitation.

CLIN

Assumed Contract

Period Description Period of Performance 0001 Base DSPO Support -includes 60 day transition 8 Months 0002 Base Travel and Materials 10 Months 1001 Option 1 DSPO Support 12 Months 1002 Option 1 Travel and Materials 10 Months 2001 Option 2 DSPO Support 12 Months 2002 Option 2 Travel and Materials 10 Months 3001 Option 3 DSPO Support 12 Months 3002 Option 3 Travel and Materials 10 Months

Answer: The table above is incorrect. The unit of issue for the travel and materials line items (the ones with a quantity of 10) is not “Months”, it is “Unitless”. The quantity of 10 will allow for more than one invoice against the line item, as DFAS would only make one payment if the quantity had been 1. The instructions are for offerors to leave those travel and materials line items blank, the Government will fill in the amounts of the not to exceed.

RFQ Change: None

Question 80: Page 21 of 58 of the solicitation states that “There will be four (4) on‐site office spaces allocated for the contractor’s use.” Does the Government anticipate that the vendor will need to provide additional “offsite” or “contractor site” support? Or is it anticipated that all support will be provided at the Government site?

Answer: The contractor will determine how it will handle work arrangements outside the 4 available spaces.

Question 81: Can the Government please provide the level of effort required to perform this work?

Answer: See response to Question 1

Question 82: On page 28 of 58, number (4) ‐ The Government requires the submission of resumes for key personnel as part of the technical volume. Can the Government please provide the positions / labor categories it considers key?

Answer: See response to Question 13

Question 83: Can the Government please provide submission instructions related to proposal preparation requirements (e.g., font size, margins)?

Answer: Instructions added to the addendum to 52.212‐1.

RFQ Change: Revised the addendum to 52.212‐1

Question 84: Will a table of content and cover page count against the page limitation for the technical volume?

Answer: Yes

Question 85: On page 29 of 58, number (10) ‐ Does the Government want the past performance information submitted in a different volume from the technical volume?

Question 86: On page 29 of 58, number (10) ‐ Can the Government please provide the time period of the past performance to be considered recent? Will the Government consider contracts completed within the last five (5) years?

Question 87: On page 29 of 58, number (6) ‐ Does the Government want the pricing information submitted in a different volume from the technical volume?

Answer: Yes, submit two separate volumes

Question 88: On page 29 of 58, number (8) ‐ The Government requires a completed copy of the representations and certifications. If the representations and certifications are current and completed in SAM.gov, will a statement attesting to the completion of all representations and certifications and referring to the SAM.gov site be sufficient?

If not, are the representations and certifications excluded from page count?

Answer: Submit in accordance with 52.212‐1 and the addendum and 52.212‐3. This is not part of the technical volume so it is not subject to the page limitations.

Question 89: Can the Government please provide the quote validity period?

Answer: See addendum to 52.212‐1, “Period for acceptance of offers”

Question 90: 4.5.1 (pg 11). Communication and Outreach. Approximately how many communication products are developed per month to support this requirement?

Answer: Approximately 2 per month, ranging in scope from small (editorial or engagement calendar) to large (communications suite of tools with implementation plan).

Question 91: 4.5.1.3 (pg 11). Is there an existing warehouse facility and will the transition include a transition of the contract with that facility? Can the Government provide more information on the volume and nature of the outreach materials requiring storage?

Answer: Inventory list has been provided. This will be part of the transition. The new vendor would be responsible for securing storage space and meeting with the COR and incumbent at the current storage location (within the NCR) to conduct the inventory and pick up the materials from the incumbent’s location.

Question 92: 4.5.2 (pg 11). Besides the annual Suicide Prevention Month Campaign, how many additional communication plans for campaigns will be developed per contract year?

Answer: Additional communications plans will be required approximately 1 per quarter. Vendor will also support DSPO’s communications strategic framework.

Question 93: 4.6 (pg 12). Training and Education. The training materials and products cited in this section (training curricula, instructional guides, lesson plans, collateral materials, evaluation plans, etc.) are not listed as Deliverables in the table in Section 5.0. Please identify the number of training curricula required per year.

Answer: See response to question 23

Question 94: ITO (pg 28). Since primary Evaluation factor is Personnel experience, we strongly recommend that names be included along with letters of commitment for proposed staff. Can you confirm that we are required to redact names within the technical proposal but not the resumes? Is there a preferred method of redaction (e.g., black line, name substitution, other)?

Answer: Letters of commitment are the decision of the offeror, this is best value so it could be looked at as a differentiator. All names should be redacted, how is a decision of the offeror.

Question 95: Is there an incumbent company currently performing this work? If yes, what is the name of the company.

Answer: See the response to Question 3

Question 96: What is the labor mix (types of labor categories) and level of effort (number of hours) anticipated for this effort?

Answer: See the response to Question 1.

Question 97: Key personnel are mentioned in evaluation criteria but no roles are defined as key‐ what roles will be evaluated as key personnel?

Answer: This is to be determined by the offeror and will be used to determine the best value.

Question 98: Are there minimum qualifications or particular certifications required for Key or other personnel?

Answer: This is to be determined by the offeror and will be used to determine the best value.

Question 99: Is the government willing to allow for any contractor performance from HUBZONE locations?

Answer: The contractor will determine how it will handle work arrangements outside the 4 available spaces. Note that reimbursement for travel will only be for the Government events/conferences that the Government requests contractor to attend/support.

Question 100: Would DHRA considering extending the offer period to July 15, 2021?

Answer: See amendment for offer period extension.

RFQ Change: Due date revised

Question 101: Is this a follow‐on contract to an existing contract? If so, could you provide the contract number for the current contract and the name of the current contractor?

Answer: See response to questions 3 and 5.

RFQ Change: None

Question 102: Task 4.2.1.3 states contractors must “create a workload management tool.” Does the Government anticipate that this will be an Excel document or SharePoint list or will it be a more customized tool?

Answer: Yes, the workload management tool will be an Excel document, then upon approval the document will be uploaded into SharePoint.

RFQ Change: Revised deliverables table to reflect Excel.

Question 103: Task 4.7.5 states “Provide event web page and mobile app.” This is very broad and difficult for offerors to gauge the level of effort required. Would the Government clarify what this task entails, such as developing and/or maintaining web pages and mobile applications for iPhone/Android/other?

Answer: Related to the biennial conference, the development and maintenance of web pages and mobile applications, if and when needed, will have to be for all platforms/devices (iPhone, Android, etc.). Web pages would be housed within the existing government websites and any mobile apps used we have in the past utilized existing apps for the purposes of our conferences.

Question 104: Task 4.3.1 – approximately how many of each of the following will there be in a calendar year:

Working groups, focus group events, roundtables, summits, committee meetings, ceremonies, tabling events.

Answer: See response to question 16

Question 105: Would the Government provide historical contractor support FTEs for each task:

Answer: This information is not readily available as work is matrixed across personnel.

RFQ Change: None

Question 106: Section 10.0 Place of Performance states “there will be four (4) on‐site office spaces allocated for the contractor’s use.” Does this mean the Government anticipates four (4) FTEs supporting this contract or are there additional resources expected? Will those be offsite?

Answer: See PWS 9.1 RFQ Change: Revised 10.0 to add Mark Center and Contractor as place of performance.

Question 107: Section 10.1 states “contractor is responsible for providing operations support on site during the core hours of 7:30am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday.” Is there a minimum number of on‐site personnel at any given time to meet the required level of operations support?

Answer: See responses to questions 62, 67, 71

RFQ Change: Revised PWS 10.0, 10.1

Question 108: Addenda to 52.212‐1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items Section (b)(4) states, “…describing the staffing plan and key personnel/corporate past experience in sufficient detail to enable the Government to evaluate understanding of the requirements in the PWS and the addenda to 52.212‐2. The staffing plan must include the key personnel, labor categories, level of effort and associated education and experience and a crosswalk to the PWS.” Can you confirm that the Government does not intend to provide any information about labor categories, key personnel (number, labor categories, etc.) and that the offeror is required to develop and propose all related information. Are all labor categories considered to be key? If not, what are the expectations for the non‐key categories?

Answer: Staffing plan is the determination of the offeror

Question 109: Would the Government please provide the number and position titles for all Key Personnel?

Answer: See the response to questions 13, 29, 40

RFQ Change:

Question 110: What labor categories / positions is the Government expecting resumes for?

Answer: This is a determination of the offeror

Question 111: Would the Government please provide further details on the Workload Management Tool?

Answer: See PWS 4.2.1.3 and 5.0

RFQ Change: Revised PWS 5.0

Question 112: Would the Government please specify how the proposal is to be organized? For example, would the Government like for there to be four (4) separate volumes in their own electronic files: Technical, Price, Reps and Certs, and Past Performance?

Answer: Submit two volumes

RFQ Change: Addendum to FAR 52.212‐1 has been revised

Question 113: Would the Government please clarify which of the four (4) personnel are required on site?

Answer: See response to Question 71

Question 114: Would the Government please confirm this work requires the Prime Contractor to hold at least a Secret Facility Clearance?

Answer: Not required

Question 115: Would the Government please provide the projected award and start date?

Answer: See the response to question 78

RFQ Change: None

Question 116: The RFP states in regard to training that the contractor will “create DSPO program core curricula, training, and education objectives.” However, Task 4.6.4 on page 12 says “Research, identify, and assess suicide prevention related content and develop training curricula to be used on a learning management system or other identified format and/or venue. Content includes instructional guides, lesson plans, collateral materials and evaluation plans.”

Please clarify that DSPO wants the contractor to develop the content for and related to the individual training programs that would be used by the different services. Also, please clarify the number of training programs for development.

Answer: Yes, it would include addressing current/existing content, practices, and research in suicide prevention training across services and in other (external to the services) systems and organization, which will then result in development of novel or alteration of existing curricula for dissemination to the services. It is estimated to result in 1 to 3 courses/curricula.

RFQ Change: None

Question 117: What, if any, established data management, tracking mechanisms, inventory databases, or project tools is the government currently using to support the gathering and monitoring of information as it relates to 4.2.3, 4.2.6, 4.2.8, 4.2.10, 4.2.11, 4.2.12, 4.3.1,4.3.2, 4.3.4.2,4.4.1, 4.4.2,4.4.4, 4.4.5, 4.4.6, 4.5.1.3, 4.5.2, 4.5.4, 4.5.4.1, 4.6.3, and 4.7.3 Answer: Incumbent leverages Quorum software for tracking/monitoring legislation and updates/maintains excel spreadsheet for Government use. Government uses bots/feeds on Congress.gov for additional monitoring.

Congressional requests are tasked to Government/DSPO from higher‐level offices within DoD either via email or Correspondence and Task Management System (CATMS). Other examples for gathering information is via Microsoft products (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint), SharePoint, and email depending on the type of request.

RFQ Change: None

Question 118: Can the government define how many monthly PowerPoint presentations, infographics, pilot programs, research areas, communication efforts, and outreach materials, will be required?

Answer: Approximately 6 per month

Question 119: Will the contract team be responsible for providing training for government or other personnel on how to use, update or maintain the develop tracking mechanisms/processes?

Answer: The vendor will provide training to the contract employees on all platforms used to support the government.

RFQ Change: None

Question 120: The solicitation identifies a need to maintain a process to track across DSPO – how many initiatives, strategies, congressional reports, and strategic plans are there currently?

Answer: The number of initiatives varies; however, currently there are ~50 initiatives/projects. Currently, there are three congressional reports each year; eight strategic focus areas, each with multiple associated milestones;

one Defense Suicide Strategy for Suicide Prevention; one Defense Human Resources Activity Strategic Plan, which includes three DSPO goals each with multiple milestones and measures; one USD(P&R) Strategic Plan; and one National Defense Strategy. DSPO also develops “strategic plans” for large projects/initiatives.

RFQ Change: None

Question 121: Is there a government preferred tool to use to develop tracking mechanisms?

Answer: It depends on the type of request. See response to Question 117 RFQ Change: None

Question 122: Can the government estimate how many events the team would need to support?

Answer: See response to Question 16

RFQ Change: None

Question 123: Does the government have a current organizational list? If yes, how many organizations are currently listed/ being tracked?

Answer: Yes, there is a current list. The government has internal and external partners comprised of the DoD and other federal agencies, as well as nongovernmental suicide prevention, resilience and other key stakeholders.

RFQ Change: Revised PWS 4.3.4.6 to remove “develop”

Question 124: Can the government define how many congressional engagements the team would need to support?

Answer: The number varies; however, can range from 12‐20+ engagements (e.g., meetings, hearings, member briefings) per year.

RFQ Change: None

Question 125: Where would the information for requests for information, inquiries, and questions for the records be coming from and how?

Answer: Requests are tasked to Government/DSPO from higher‐level offices within DoD either via email or Correspondence and Task Management System (CATMS). Also see PWS 4.2.3

RFQ Change: None

Question 126: Does the learning management system already exist? If yes, what is the platform?

Answer: Each service uses existing learning management systems, for example the Army uses JKO.

RFQ Change: None

Question 127: Can the government confirm if this effort will include paid media?

Answer: Effort does not include paid media.

Question 128: What, if any, system currently exists to track FOIA, inquiries, questions of record etc?

Answer: FOIAs are received/tracked via Correspondence and Task Management System (CATMS). Inquiries are received either via email or CATMS, and questions of record typically are received via email. All are tracked internally using Microsoft products and Government processes.

RFQ Change: None

Question 129: Will the government define mobile app requirements?

Answer: See 4.7.5.1 RFQ Change: None

Question 130: We understand all deliverables (with the exception of the 'Centralized RFI tracking mechanism', 'Contractor Telework Policy', and 'Legislative tracking mechanism) shall utilize Microsoft Office. However, to track and gather information for these reports, will the team be able to utilize/create tracking mechanisms outside of the MS Office Suite?

Answer: It depends on the type of request. Some formats for deliverables are contractor determined as identified in the PWS.

RFQ Change: None

Question 131: What is the address of the office space that will be provided for Contractor use, as mentioned in section 10.0?

Answer: 4800 Mark Center Drive Alexandria, VA

RFQ Change: None

Question 132: Will the government evaluate technical approach content (i.e., content other than the staffing plan and key personnel/corporate past experience) that is included as a part of the technical volume?

Answer: No RFQ Change: None

Question 133: Are there specific key personnel labor categories envisioned by the government or should the Offeror use their own discretion in proposing key personnel?

Answer: This is the determination of the offeror.

RFQ Change: None

Question 134: Will the government provide an attachment to use for the price volume?

Answer: No RFQ Change: None

Question 135: Does the government have an estimated level of effort for this contract support. If not, can the government please provide the level of effort for the current contracts delivering this scope of work?

Answer: See the response to questions 1, 2, 8

RFQ Change: None

Question 136: The PWS states, “The contractor shall operate at a high operations tempo to keep pace with short or no notice taskers (can be due in as little as one hour). These typically involve suicide prevention inquiries, research‐related issues, data management, analysis, briefing creation and delivery, and consultation on projects…