24Q0033_QA_072224.pdf

Number Question Answer

2.1.2 Factor 1 Technical Approach, Research Tiers of Evidence. Does DODEA require that the proposed program have evidence of the research tiers 1, 2, or 3 for all grades in K-8 according to the What Works Clearinghouse? Is it permissible for vendors to submit a program whose evidence has been reviewed and approved by WWC for a portion of that grade band?

DoDEA requires the submission of evidence meeting tier 1,2, or 3 for grades k - 8.

2 DoDEA is considering awarding multiple vendors to fulfill the scope of work in RFP K-8 Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Supplemental Resources and Screener?

The agency's preference is for a single contractor to provide the entire solution.

3 Does DoDEA intend for multiple teachers or other eligible staff members to complete the screener for a single student? Yes. DoDEA intends for multiple teachers or other eligible staff to complete the screener for a single student.

In regard to Sections 2.3.1 and 2.3.2 - Reporting, the description describes the role of student services staff in both Subparts 2 and 3. We wish to clarify that in Subpart 3, the role of student services staff for this permission level is at the above-school level.

Our current interpretation of the description is that student services staff role in Subpart 2 is a local level role and the student services staff role in Subpart 3 is the broader scope level role. Are these two different permission levels (i.e. Student Services Staff - Local & Student Services Staff - Above School) as we currently interpret or just one singular role (i.e. Student Services Staff)?

In Subpart 3 there are two different permission levels, Local and Above School Level.

In regard to Section 2.3.3.2 - All Reporting, the description indicates that teachers can access usage data above their school, including district, region and agency, which is not the same permission level as 2.3.1 and 2.3.2. Please confirm that the teachers should be able to access engagement data beyond their school. Dependent on the preceding question, should Student Services Staff - Local also have access to engagement data beyond their school?

School level staff should be able to access data related to their school only. Above school level staff should have access to data consistent with their position. For example, district level staff have access to district level data.

Regional staff would have access to regional data. Headquarters level staff have access to agency wide data.

6 Section 1.2.11 states that implementation of Grades 6-8 will begin in Contract Period 1, but the tables in Technical Exhibit #3 which present the requirements for PL omit Contract Period 1. Please clarify.

Updated PWS Technical Exhibit3, Table 5A should read "Table 5A: 6-8 Educators by District - Contract Periods 1- 2"

PWS Technical Exhibit #3, Table 4A indicates 145 hours of Planning, Briefing, Consulting, and Coaching in the Base Year, CLIN 0014 on page 9 of the SOL indicates 180 hours of Planning, Briefing, Consulting, and Coaching in the Base Year, and the Pricing Worksheet Excel file shows 216 hours of Planning, Briefing, Consulting, and Coaching in the Base Year. Please clarify.

24Q0033_ATTCH1_PricingWrksht_072224 now matches the PWS which states 145 total hours as seen on the Technical Exhibit #3, Table 4A indicates 145 hours of Planning, Briefing, Consulting, and Coaching in the Base Year and on CLIN 0014 of the SOL. All sub CLINs of 0014 have been updated as well. Please refer to the updated SOL ad Pricing Worksheet Attachments.

Section 2.4.5.1 (Professional Learning Categories, Educators) states that some professional learning sessions may be specifically for “grades, grade bands, etc.” Please confirm that any such focus on a subgrouping of educators will be in lieu of PL that addresses the entire K-8 group of educators, so that such subgrouping-focused PL will not require additional facilitator staffing or content creation beyond the hours specified in the tables in Technical Exhibits #2 and #3. For example, if a 2-hour Back-to- School PL session is focused on K-3 educators for the Base Year, will vendor also be expected to provide facilitator staffing and separate content for an additional 2-hour Back-to-School PL session that is focused on grades 4-5 educators also during the Base Year?

Any professional learning sessions focused on specific subgroups of educators, such as "grades, grade bands, etc.," will replace a session that would otherwise address the entire K-8 group. This means that subgroup-focused professional learning will not require additional facilitator staffing or content creation beyond the hours specified in the tables in Technical Exhibits #2 and #3. For example, if a 2-hour Back-to-School professional learning session is provided for K-3 educators, the vendor will not be expected to provide separate facilitator staffing and content for an additional 2-hour session for grades 4-5 educators during the same Base Year.

9 CLIN 0010 for the Project Manager is listed with the pricing unit as months, while the Pricing Worksheet Excel File shows 50% FTE. Please clarify whether FTE or months is preferred, or if the equivalent figure should be entered in each document.

Please see the updates to attachment 24Q0033_ATTCH1_PricingWrksht_072224. The Project Manager Unit has been changed to Months.

HE1254-24-Q-0033-K-8 Socio-Emotional Supplemental Resources and Screener-Attachment 10-Questions and Answers

The Pricing Worksheet Excel file applies formulas in some cells for Option Years 1-4 (Contract Periods 1-4). Please confirm whether these should be applied as-is, are strongly recommended by DoDEA, or are merely placeholders that vendors should replace. For example, Cell G10 has a formula that increases the Project Manager rate by 5% annually, and Cell G12 has a formula that calculates the price of a 4-Year Subscription in Option Year 1 (Contract Period 1) as 85% of the price of a 5-Year Subscription in the Base Year.

All formulas have been removed from 24Q0033_ATTCH1_PricingWrksht_072224. The price quoted shall include a completed pricing sheet in the attached format. The Vendor shall ensure mathematical computations are correct. Errors in addition or multiplication may be considered nonresponsive to this RFQ. (2.1.4. VOLUME 4 – Factor 4 Price)

Section 2.5 - Public Relations Support requires that the vendor provide public relations support, which is included under Evaluation Factor 2, Subfactor 4. However, there appears to be no corresponding CLIN or designated space in the Pricing Worksheet Excel file to quote a price for this service. Please clarify how the cost of this service should be reflected in the vendor's quote.

A CLIN for Public Relations Support has been added to 24Q0033_ATTCH1_PricingWrksht_072224.

12 Per Supporting Tasks – 2.6 General Requirements 2.6.7: Under what circumstances will DoDEA honor a request to waive the FedRAMP Level 2 Requirement? What is the process to submit a request for waiver for FedRAMP Level 2?

Once the Cloud Questionnaire is submitted and reviewed by DoDEA's Cyber Security Department they will determine if a FedRAMP waiver is required.

13 Per Technical Exhibit #1 – TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS 1.1.7: Under what circumstances will DoDEA honor a request to waive the FedRAMP Level 2 Requirement? What is the process to submit a request for waiver for FedRAMP Level 2?

Once the Cloud Questionnaire is submitted and reviewed by DoDEA's Cyber Security Department they will determine if a FedRAMP waiver is required.

Per Specific Requirements – 2.1.2 VOLUME 2: Factor 1. Technical Approach Research Tiers of Evidence 1 – 3: Does the program have to be reviewed and categorized into ESSA tiers by the WWC or are vendors able to self-identify based on WWC standards to achieve compliance. Can you please clarify the What Works Clearinghouse requirement and what the DoDEA’s expectation is.

Vendors are able to self-identify as meeting ESSA tiers based on What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) standards, provided they also supply evidence of compliance. The program does not need to be reviewed and categorized into ESSA tiers by the WWC itself.

15 What is the scope of this across DODEA schools? How many schools in total ?

Per PWS, Section 1.1.2: "DoDEA schools have various grade configurations, with the most common being PK-5, 6- 8, and 9-12. Of our 160 brick-and-mortar schools, 100 are elementary schools with at least three of the K-5 grades; 58 are middle schools with at least one grade 6-8."

Implementation - We think deeply about successful, sustained implementation. What are some of the primary supports the DODEA is looking for from a partner who is supporting the integration and implementation of multi-tiered SEL supports across K-8 schools?

DoDEA is seeking an evidence-based SEL supplemental curricular resource, screening instrument, and high quality professional learning/coaching for staff. The specific requirements for the procurement are outlined in the PWS.

17 Attch#1 What is the possible contract amount per year across the 5 years of the project plan? What is included as an allowable cost in this item?

Please submit your quote per 2.1.4. VOLUME 4 – Factor 4 Price. DoDEA does not define an allowable cost.

Please define each category, explain what is expected in each field, and how each correlates to the Continuation Sheet starting on page 3. CLIN Breakdown:

CLIN No.

Labor Category Key Personnel (Y/N) Contract or Name Quoted Hours Fully Burdened Rate Total

The CLIN Breakdown Tab has been removed from 24Q0033_ATTCH1_PricingWrksht_072224.

19 Is the Maximum Quantity of $343,563.00 for all five years or a single year? The number 343,5563 is the maximum quantity ordered not a dollar amont.

20 Is the CLIN breakdown tab relative to Labor Category, Quoted Hours and Fully Burdened rate applicable to CLINS 0001-0008 for subscription-based instructional resources and the screener?

The CLIN Breakdown Tab has been removed from 24Q0033_ATTCH1_PricingWrksht_072224.

21 Should the SEL Screener be priced annually for the Base Year and each OY as opposed to the Base Year being a 5-year subscription?

The SEL Screener be priced annually for the Base Year and each OY.

Please clarify the discrepancies in the length of the base period: on page 95 of the SOL (section 2.1) it refers to a 1-year base; on page 98 (section 2.1.4.1) references are made in the paragraph to both a 5-year base and a 1-year base; and in the Pricing Worksheet it refers to a 5-year base. If it is a five-year base, then should cell A9 in the Pricing Worksheet read “9-Year Project Plan?”

DoDEA requires a combination of a 1-year base and four option periods for Digital Resources plus various contractor provided supported CLINs (0001-0015), plus their corresponding Option Year CLINS. Updates to section 2.1.4.1 of the SOL have been made. Updates to 24Q0033_ATTCH1_PricingWrksht_07222 have also been made.

Please clarify the type of evidence bidders should provide for Technical Approach and Technical Requirements. On pages 96 and 97 of the SOL, references are made to the What Works Clearinghouse standards, yet on page 104 (section 1.2.5) it states that “DoDEA seeks to select interventions and supports which are consistent with the evidence standards of the Every Student Succeeds Act.”

Prospective vendors will supply evidence demonstrating that their solution meets the ESSA tier 1,2, or 3 evidence standard.

24 On SOL page 105 (section 1.2.11) and throughout the tables on pages 118-120 references are made to “Contract Periods 1, 2, 3, & 4.” Are these synonymous with the “Option Years 1, 2, 3, & 4 ” referenced in the Pricing Worksheet?

Yes. Contract periods are synonymous with Option Years.

With the phase-in of Grades 6-8 in the option years, how does DoDEA envision the execution of the professional learning? That is, will training of middle school staff be conducted separately from that of elementary school staff or will it be combined (where feasible)?

The training may be offered to elementary professionals, and secondary professionals separately and/or together.

26 What are DoDEA’s expectations regarding the amount of synchronous vs. asynchronous professional learning? DoDEA's expectations for professional learning are outlined in PWS 2.4 Task 4 "Virtual Professional Learning (PL) and Related Support.

Please clarify the bidder’s role in the provision of professional learning to Educators. Page 109 of the SOL (section 2.4.5.1) suggests that the successful bidder will conduct these sessions; however, Tables 1A, 1B, 1C, 5A, and 5B on pages 117-119 indicate that these sessions will be facilitated by DoDEA.

The vendor will conduct these sessions virtually and/or via asynchronously during professional learning modules.

28 Are the number of sessions and hours outlined in Technical Exhibit #2 of the SOL representative of the total sessions/hours for all groups spread over five years, or is this to be interpreted as an annual number of sessions/hours for each group?

The technical exhibit outlines the maximum number of hours for each group during the specific contract period.

For example, Table 1A indicates that during the base period, there will be a 2 hour training, per district. With 9 districts, that totals 18 hours. For quarterly professional learning on table 1A, there are 4 hours per district (1 per quarter), for 9 districts, totalling 36 hours.

29 When does DoDEA anticipate awarding this contract and, relatedly, what is DoDEA’s expected (or desired) implementation timeframe for both professional learning and the SEL curriculum, dashboard, and screener?

DoDEA anticipates awarding the contract during the 2024 Fiscal year. Implementation of the contract would begin during the 2024 - 2025 school year.

Sheet1