HE1254-21-R-0002 Attachment 5 QA.pdf

Question # Question Answer

1 The RFP states DoDEA requires student and teacher print and digital curriculum resources and related product training and professional learning for K-5 social studies. Our courses are online, no textbooks. Will a bid for online courses satisfy the RFP requirements?

No, the proposal for online courses will not satisfy the RFP requirements.

2 The RFP states DoDEA has not purchased K-5 social studies curriculum resources since Government fiscal year 2010. What do you require for the print and digital curriculum resources now, which your current K-5 social studies curriculum resources do not provide?

Up to date resources and a diverse and inclusive representation of history in accordance with the Performance Work Statement.

3 Can you confirm the print and digital curriculum resources will be used in the DoDEA brick-and-mortar schools; DoDEA Americas, DoDEA Europe, and DoDEA Pacific? Confirmed.

Does DoDEA intend to use the print and digital curriculum resources strictly for face-to-face learning?

The resources will be used for face-to-face learning and remote learning as needed.

Can the January 6, 2021 date be extended, as three holidays fall during this time and many employees critical to the submission process take end of year leave? No.

If we are submitting a Grade K-4 and a Grade 5 program as part of our submission would we be allowed two separate 30-45 minute video presentations demonstrating our proposed instructional resources?

Yes.

7 Will the 30-45 minute video presentations be live or pre-recorded? Pre-recorded with no interaction with the evaluators.

8 Will there be a question and answer period included in the 30-45 minute video presentation?

No, there will not be a question and answer period related to the video.

However, if Discussions are necessary, we can have that later.

9 What exactly would you like to see in the video presentation – the actual materials, focus on teacher materials, focus on student materials, focus on digital, focus on print?

The Government will evaluate proposals strictly in accordance with the solicitation evaluation criteria. Offerors may focus on whatever they determine will increase their chances of contract award. See solicitation amendment.

HE1254-21-R-0002-Social Studies Curriculum Resources-Attachment 5 - Questions and Answers

Pricing sheet: In the Base Period 1, the quantities of Student Resource Bundles differ from the quantities of the Consumables for the same grade level. Please explain why these quantities are different. For example: CLIN 0001 Student Resources Bundle has the quantity of 10,145, but CLIN 0013 Consumables Kindergarten has the quantity of 7,925.

Our program has a digital component for each student and print components for each student. For our product, the quantity of digital materials should be the same for quantity as the print materials. Should we calculate the digital resources using the Student Resources Bundle quantity and calculate the print resources using the Consumable quantity? OR should we use the same quantity of 10,145 for both the Digital Student Resource Bundle and the Print Consumable?

Use the quantities on the Pricing Spreadsheet.

Our resources are 5-year print and 5-year digital, we can also offer 1-year print and 1-year digital. In the pricing spreadsheet should we use the following CLINs? - example:

0001 Student Resources – Kindergarten 0001AA Student Resources Kindergarten 5-year digital 0001AB Student Resources Kindergarten 5-year print

1001 Student Resources – Kindergarten 1001AA Student Resources Kindergarten 5-year digital OR 1001AA Student Resources Kindergarten 1-year digital 1001AB Student Resources Kindergarten 5-year print OR 1001AB Student Resources Kindergarten 1-year print

Yes, Offerors may use an alternate CLIN structure to match their commercially available practice. DoDEA prefers to purchase 5-year resources for both the base and option periods. DoDEA does include one year quantities for base years 2-5 of consumables only (CLINS 0019- 0024). However, vendors may add CLINS as needed to address their commercial practice.

Page 90 says “The period of performance will be ten years - a 5-year base period for print and digital resources and a 5 year option period for digital resources and consumables – each year being 12 months long”. Please confirm: Pricing Sheet: Pricing should be provided for 5-year print/digital subscription is for Base Year 1. Pricing should be provided for Option Year 1 for five 1-year pricing for print/digital not a 5-year pricing?

Our 5 year subscription price includes print and/or digital for 5 consecutive years. Our 1-year subscription price includes print and/or digital for 1 year. Do you require the 5 year subscription where refills are provided at no additional cost for the remaining 4 years or do you prefer a 1 year subscription that can be purchased every year as needed?

Print and digital resources should be priced for five-years for the base period and five-years for the option period, with the exception of consumable CLINS 0019-0024.

DoDEA stated on page 90, section 1.3.3 – “…The period of performance will be ten years

– a 5-year base period for print and digital resources and a 5-year option period for digital resources and consumables only – each year being 12 months long.” Does DoDEA want pricing for a 5-year subscription of five 1-year subscriptions?

DoDEA requests pricing for 5-year subscriptions, however, please propose in accordance with your best commercial practices.

14 On page 9, CLIN 0013 says, “MINIMUM QUANTITY/AMOUNT: 1/$42.00. Please explain what this means.

DoDEA is required to order a minimum quantity of 1 and a minimum dollar value of $42.00 over the life of the contract.

In Section 2.1.2, Task 2 Virtual Train-the-Trainer Professional Learning OR Asynchronous Professional Learning, the vendor is asked to provide either synchronous or asynchronous professional learning. Section 2.1.2.1 requires 12 hours of synchronous learning (6 for K-2 and 6 for 3-5) per region, or put another way, six, 6-hour sessions (or 36 total hours).

However, Section 2.1.2.2 requires 24 hours of asynchronous learning (12 for K-2 and 12 for 3-5). Is this accurate or should the asynchronous training be a total of 12 hours (6 for K- 2 and 6 for 3-5) to mirror the synchronous training?

Price in accordance with the six sessions in the pricing sheet and provide a price breakdown on the CLIN Breakdown tab (new). See solicitation amendment for more information.

Section 2.1.2.1 synchronous train-the-trainer professional learning requires six, 6-hour sessions (36 total hours) and 2.1.2.2 asynchronous train-the-trainer professional learning requires 24 total hours. Given the difference in hours and whether synchronous or asynchronous, the price will be different for these two task requirements. However, CLIN #0028 is supposed to cover both the synchronous and the asynchronous and asks for pricing for 6, 6-hour sessions (36 hours). Therefore, CLIN #0028 is inapplicable to 2.1.2.2 (24 hours). Where would you like vendors to submit pricing for the 24 hours of 2.1.2.2 asynchronous train-the-trainer professional learning?

See answer to question # 15.

Vendor has two programs to offer: one for Gr. K-4 and one for Gr. 5. We can provide the same number of hours of product training and professional learning and product training specified in the RFP except divide it Program A for Gr. K-4 and Program B for Gr. 5 (instead of Gr. K-2 and Gr. 3-5) or we can add additional hours and provide product training and professional learning for Program A Gr. K-2, Program A Gr. 3-4, and Program B Gr. 5. What is DoDEA’s preference?

Breakout Gr. K-4 and Gr. 5 and Breakout K-2, 3-4, and 5. Provide a price breakdown on the CLIN Breakdown tab. The decision will be based on the best value to the Government.

Pricing for professional learning is based on the number of student licenses sold. The number of students who will be using the program varies at different locations in the solicitation. Using Kindergarten as an example: 6,368 K students on page 89 of the solicitation, 10,145 K students per CLIN #0001, and 7,925 K students per CLIN #0013.

How many students at each grade level will be participating in the social studies program?

Typically, Professional Learning is based on the teachers, not students.

See PWS section 1.3.2.

Approximately what date will DoDEA announce the award(s)? With the high enrollment numbers we may have to reprint materials and would need as much advance notice as possible. Our programs are completely digital and would available immediately.

DoDEA anticipates announcement of award on or about 23 February 2021.

A 30-45 minute video presentation demonstrating their proposed instructional resources.

See Technical Exhibit 2, section 2.2 for System Requirements. Does this mean we are to include a 30-45 minute video and the actual video has to be compliant with DoDEA’s technical requirement: "TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 2 - Technical Requirements The Contractor shall comply with the applicable technical requirements detailed below.”

See updated FAR 52.212-1 ADDENDUM – INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS - - COMMERCIAL ITEMS. Vendors may include a link within Volume 2. The IT requirements under TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 2 is for the performance of the contract.

21 Regarding the 30-45 minute video presentation, may we put a link in the video for further information?

No, not in the video. The information should be included in the proposal within Volume 2.

DoDEA REQUIREMENT, Pgs 90-91

2.1.1 Task 1, Professional Learning Plan 2.1.1 -The Contractor’s or Contractors’ plan(s) shall include the following:

Question: If the Professional Learning Plan is truly a plan, why does a CLIN (0028) and pricing option exist for a plan? There are no services performed (teacher training or PD) in putting a plan together, but perhaps you are allowing for development costs from a vendor’s Service Team. ? Please elaborate.

If the Offeror does not charge for the Plan, use "NSP" (Not Separately Priced) as the Proposed Unit Price (column F) and $0.00 as the Proposed Extended Total (column G). If there are development costs - please include them in your proposal.

DoDEA REQUIREMENT, Pg 91

2.1.2 Task 2: Virtual Train-the-Trainer Professional Learning OR Asynchronous Professional Learning (as determined by the needs of the Agency) —The Contractor shall:

2.1.2.1 Virtual Train-the-Trainer Professional Learning Option: Provide a total of 12 hours of synchronous webinars during the normal business hours of each DoDEA region (Americas, Europe, and Pacific) in Base Year 1. Six hours shall be focused on K-2, and six hours shall be focused on 3-5 . Provide digital facilitator guides designed for use by DoDEA train-the-trainers by the end of April of Base Year 1.

2.1.2.2 Asynchronous Professional Learning Option: Provide 24 hours of asynchronous professional learning. DoDEA in consultation with the Contractor(s) shall determine the exact topics in writing post-award. However, 12 hours shall be focused on grades K-2, and 12 hours shall be focused on grade 3-5 . The asynchronous professional learning shall include tasks per PWS 2.1.2.1.1 - 2.1.2.1.5, as applicable.

Question: You indicate synchronous Train-the-Trainer Professional Learning webinars for 12 hours in each of three areas in 2.1.2.1. This is a total of 36 hours.

You indicate an option of asynchronous Professional Learning for a total of 24 hours in

2.1.2.2. Because options are not the same amount of training hours, the price will be impacted. How are we to assume which option (as determined by the needs of the Agency) should indicate in the cost and price proposal?

For item 2.1.2.2, please be explicit to clarify specifically what is required for each of the 12 hours of training for K-2 and for 3-5.

See the response to Question #16, above.

For item 2.1.2.2, the answer will be discussed in the Post-Award meeting.

DoDEA REQUIREMENT, Pg. 92, Task 3

2.1.3.2 Present the draft administrator professional learning—including the observation guides—virtually for DoDEA HQ personnel. Finalize the professional learning and facilitator guide based on written feedback from the COR.

Question: When you refer to ‘draft administrator professional learning’, do you mean you would like the vendor to provide a DRAFT of the agenda for the Virtual School Administrator Professional Learning workshop?

DoDEA will need to review the entire administrator professional learning including the agenda (after the contract is awarded).

DoDEA REQUIREMENT, Pg. 93, Task 5

2.1.5.2 Provide a dry run of the K-2 and 3-5 professional learning—including any digital handouts or lists of readings—to DoDEA HQ personnel. Finalize the webinars based on written feedback from the COR.

Question: Please define exactly what you mean by ‘dry run’ of each of K-2 and 3-5 Professional Learning trainings. It appears you would like to view complete trainings of each of K-2 and 3-5, then provide written feedback to the vendor, then the vendor needs to revise each webinar, based on the written feedback before they present the final K-2 and 3- 5 trainings. If this is correct, it will add development time and we must charge accordingly.

It is important to know what is meant by the term ‘dry run’.

The vendor will provide a walk-through of the professional learning to the Social Studies ISS team. The team will determine if any changes need to be made the professional learning. Yes, the walk-through will need to be added to the timeline and the proposal needs to be planned accordingly.

DoDEA REQUIREMENT, Pg 103

1.3.9 Provide digital grade-level-specific documents that correlate the student textbook and related materials to the DoDEA’s CCRS-H/SS for the specified grade level. Correlations shall display vertical and horizontal alignment of resources and standards.

Question: Our Curriculum Alignment Department produces hundreds of forward and reverse correlations of standards and programs annually.

- A forward correlation is a two-column document in which all standards are listed in the first column with matching citations to the right, in the second column.

- A reverse correlation is a two-column document in which content assets are listed in the first column with matching standards to the right.

Please share your definition of a vertical and horizontal correlation, along with a sample of each, so we may meet your requirement.

For each grade level proposed, the horizontal correlation document should have the DoDEA standards on the left and the matching citations on the right. Vertical means how do your resources align vertically (K- 5). Please submit the vertical alignment for the grade levels you are proposing.