Solicitation_Q A.pdf

HHS-ASPR-16-100-SOL-00034Trauma Burn Inventory Database Questions and Answers

Question: Is there an incumbent? If so, what is the company’s name and the contract number?

ANSWER: No, this is a new requirement. There is no incumbent.

Question: Please verify that the SF 1449, signed amendments, and representations and certifications are excluded from the 30 page count.

ANSWER: Yes.

Question: Please confirm that if the offeror provides SAM records information, a copy of our representations and certifications is not required in the proposal.

ANSWER: No, but please provide your DUNS# on the cover of your proposal.

Question: Is the cover letter excluded from the 30 page count?

ANSWER: No.

Question: Is pricing excluded from the 30 page count?

ANSWER: Yes, pricing is not included in the 30 page count.

Question: Should pricing be submitted in a separate volume?

ANSWER: Yes.

Question: Is there a pricing template?

ANSWER: The table is found in the SOW, page 9, section 6, tasks a. to h. equal 100% (please note b. should be the monthly price (4% per month x 12 = 48%).

Question: What information is required for the price evaluation?

ANSWER: Pricing proposal.

Question: Do we need to provide labor categories, hours, and rates for the total firm fixed price proposed?

ANSWER: Yes.

Question: The second paragraph of the combined synopsis/solicitation states “The contract line item numbers (CLINs) are located in Attachment 1 of this RFP. Vendors shall provide Firm Fixed Price (FFP) proposals (which include shipping and all other costs). Further information is provided in Attachment 1, Statement of Work (SOW).” Can you please verify where the CLINs are located? We didn’t see them in Attachment 1 or further information on price proposals.

ANSWER: The table is found in the SOW, page 9, section 6, tasks a. to h. equal 100% (please note b. should be the monthly price (4% per month x 12 = 48%).

Question: The pricing instructions on page 14 of the solicitation are unclear. Will the Government accept a price volume that is separate from the 30-page proposal package? If so, what level of detail does the Government desire from offerors?

ANSWER: Yes, please provide: detailed labor categories, number of hours and hourly rates.

Question: The combined synopsis states: "The size standard is $15.0 million.” - is this the maximum amount allowable for the proposal budget? I understand that the proposal would partly compete on price so coming in under this amount while producing a first-rate product is attractive.

ANSWER: "The size standard is $15.0 million” is the reference to the size standard for the NAICS code 811310 that is being used for this requirement. This has nothing to do with the budget of this requirement.

Question: Does this $15 million amount include direct and indirect (F&A) costs, or will indirects costs be added to this amount over and above?

ANSWER: Again, “The size standard is $15.0 million” is the reference to the size standard for the NAICS code 811310 that is being used for this requirement. This has nothing to do with the budget of this requirement.

Question: Is this $15 million amount the total for all 5 years (baseline + 4 additional years) of the contract?

ANSWER: Again, “The size standard is $15.0 million” is the reference to the size standard for the NAICS code 811310 that is being used for this requirement. This has nothing to do with the budget of this requirement.

Question: Finally, since time is so short, can we ask additional questions beyond 12 noon today?

ANSWER: Yes, we will accept additional questions through Wednesday, August 24, 2016 by 11:59PM EDT and post those additional Q&A by COB on Thursday, August 25, 2016.

Question: Is the proposal really due at 9:00 AM EST on September 6th following the Labor Day weekend? If so, of course we will get it completed and submitted by then. Just wanted to make sure that it wasn’t 9:00 PM.

ANSWER: The solicitation posted proposals due at 9:00 AM EST not 9:00 PM EST, but with these Q&A we will post an Amendment to execute a TIME CHANGE to Noon, 12:00PM EDT on Tuesday, September 6, 2016.

Question: The development and execution of at least three required stakeholder sessions (3.1.c) will require the winning offeror to expend significant resources. Will the Government reconsider offering partial-payment of the contract at the conclusion of the three sessions?

ANSWER: Yes, offerors can provide an alternative partial payment schedule in the technical and business proposals as long as they are driven by the deliverables.

Question: Has ASPR requested and received Paperwork Reduction Act Clearance from the Office of Management and Budget for this project? If not, when does ASPR intend to request and receive approval?

ANSWER: Solutions can include mining of existing data sources (i.e. claims data, national and state registries), if selected solution requires PRA approval ASPR will work with the contractor to see OMB approval.

Question: Does ASPR expect the contractor to host each stakeholder session or will ASPR provide conference facilities for such sessions?

ANSWER: The contractor will be expected to host the stakeholder sessions.

Question: Does ASPR prefer/require that all stakeholder sessions/focus groups be located in the Washington, DC area?

ANSWER: No.

Question: Does ASPR expect the contractor to provide travel and per diem costs for focus group participants not located in the Washington, DC area?

ANSWER: The contractor will be responsible for travel and associated costs for contractor and group participants. Solutions should minimize travel expenses as much as possible.

Question: Does the Government have a preferred database technology solution for the inventory (e.g., SQL, Oracle)?

ANSWER: No.

Question: Can the Government confirm that the Government will host the inventory database for stakeholders to access?

ANSWER: The contractor will be expected to distribute the inventory and host database if that is part of the proposed solution.

Question: Section 3.2.e of the SOW states that the contractor shall provide cost estimates to incrementally expand application of the inventory in subsequent Option Years. The Government is requesting a firm-fixed price structure for those option years before the inventory expansion requirements are defined. Since these option year requirements are not defined, will the Government consider a cost plus fixed-fee or time and materials structure for the entire contract or for the four option years?

ANSWER: The base year is firm-fixed price.

Question: Can the Government clarify what is required in the Proposal Package (as referenced on Page 14 of the combined synopsis)? Our understanding is that the Government desires the 30-page proposal package to include (1) Technical Approach, (2) Staffing Plan, and (3) Past Performance narratives. Can the Government confirm?

ANSWER: The 30-page proposal package refers to the Technical Approach and Staffing Plan.

Past Performance Narratives and Pricing will not count against the 30-page limit.