Amendment__3-Page_and_Formatting_Limitations.pdf

Questions for Clarification For: RFP: HHS‐NIH‐NHLBI‐CSB‐RG‐16‐002‐JF

Administrative and Technology Support Services for the NIH Peer Review Program

PAGE AND FORMATTING LIMITATIONS

6. Page and Formatting Limitations

The Technical Plan (objectives, approach, methods procedures, and personnel) of the technical proposal shall not exceed 50 single-sided pages or 25 double-sided pages. Past performance information shall be included as an appendix to the technical proposal.

This page limitation does not include the cover sheet, abstract, table of contents, and other support, cost information, and literature cited. *With the exception of attachments, resumes and letters of commitments, the Appendices shall not exceed a total of 20 single-sided pages or 10 double-sided pages.

Pages in excess of the limitation will be deleted and will be neither read nor evaluated. Each page of the technical proposal must be numbered sequentially. Offerors are encouraged to limit the overall size of the technical proposal, inclusive of appendices, attachments, etc.

Although no page limit has been placed on the business proposal, offerors are encouraged to limit its content to only those documents necessary to provide adequate support for the proposed costs.

QUESTION AND RESPONSE FROM AMENDMENT #2, QUESTION 5. RFP, page 69:

TECHNICAL EVALUATION FACTORS / Criterion 2: Personnel

The RFP states that “The proposal includes resumes for the personnel proposed for each sub-task…” Based on the estimate of effort provided by the Government (RFP page 43), this contract requires a large number of personnel. Given the fact that there is a 10-page limit (single sided) for proposal appendixes which already includes Past Performance information, we request that the page limit for appendixes be removed in order to accommodate resumes for all proposed staff (i.e. personnel proposed for sub-task).

We also suggest limiting resumes to 3 pages for key staff and 2 pages for non-key staff.

* The Government understands the request. Therefore, we will allow 3 single-sided pages for key personnel and a limit of 2 single-side pages for non-key staff.

SAMPLE ONLY- Technical Proposal Table of Contents

Cover Page Page i

Cover page should include: RFP Title and Number, Name of Organization, Name of Principal Investigator, Address, and Telephone Number.

Table of Contents Page ii

Technical Proposal Cost Summary (Attachment #6 – is not part of the 50-page count) Page ?

Technical Proposal Cost Summary (not part of the 50-page count) – This is a summary of all costs. Please state separately how much of the total cost represents the cost for a 30-day transition period.

Abstract/Project Objectives or Executive Summary Page 1

Technical Plan/Statement of Work Page #

1. Objectives Page #

State the overall objectives and the specific accomplishments you hope to achieve.

Indicate the rationale for your plan, and relation to comparable work in progress elsewhere.

Review pertinent work already published which is relevant to this project and your proposed approach. This should support the scope of the project as you perceive it.

2. Approach (includes Phase-In/Phase-Out Transition Plan) Page #

The offeror must submit an explanation of the proposed technical approach in conjunction with the tasks to be performed in achieving the project objectives. Proposals which merely restate the requirements of the Government's scope of work will not be eligible for award.

Use as many subparagraphs, appropriately titled, as needed to clearly outline the general plan of work. Discuss phasing of research and, if appropriate, include experimental design and possible or probable outcome of approaches proposed.

3. Methods (includes Monitoring Plan) Page #

Describe in detail the methodologies you will use for the project, indicating your level of experience with each, areas of anticipated difficulties, and any unusual expenses you anticipate.

4. Schedule Page #

Provide a schedule for completion of the work and delivery of items specified in the statement of work. Performance or delivery schedules shall be indicated for phases or segments of work, as applicable, by contract year as well as for the overall contract. Schedules shall be shown in terms of calendar months from the date of authorization to proceed or, where applicable, from the date of a stated event, as for example, receipt of a required approval by the Contracting Officer. Unless the request for proposal indicates that the stipulated schedules are mandatory, they shall be treated as desired or recommended schedules. In this event, proposals based upon the offeror's best alternative schedule, involving no overtime, extra shift or other premium, will be accepted for consideration.

5. Personnel Page #

Describe the experience and qualifications of personnel who will be assigned for direct work on this program. Information is required which will show the composition of the task or work group, its general qualifications, and recent experience with similar equipment or programs. Special mention shall be made of direct technical supervisors and key technical personnel, and the approximate percentage of the total time each will be available for this program.

OFFERORS SHOULD ASSURE THAT THE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR Project Director/Manager, AND ALL OTHER PERSONNEL PROPOSED, SHALL NOT BE

COMMITTED ON FEDERAL GRANTS AND CONTRACTS FOR MORE THAN A TOTAL

OF 100% OF THEIR TIME. IF THE SITUATION ARISES WHERE IT IS DETERMINED

THAT A PROPOSED EMPLOYEE IS COMMITTED FOR MORE THAN 100% OF HIS OR

HER TIME, THE GOVERNMENT WILL REQUIRE ACTION ON THE PART OF THE

OFFEROR TO CORRECT THE TIME COMMITMENT.

1. Single Principal Investigator/Project Director

List the name of the Principal Investigator/Project Director responsible for overall implementation of the contract and key contact for technical aspects of the project. Even though there may be co-investigators, identify the Principal Investigator/Project Director who will be responsible for the overall implementation of any awarded contract. Discuss the qualifications, experience, and accomplishments of the Principal Investigator/Project Director. State the estimated time to be spent on the project, his/her proposed duties, and the areas or phases for which he/she will be responsible.

2. Resumes*

Resumes of all key personnel are required. Each must indicate educational background, recent experience, specific or technical accomplishments, and a listing of relevant publications.

Additional Personnel

List names, titles, and proposed duties of additional personnel, if any, who will be required for full-time employment, or on a subcontract or consultant basis. The technical areas, character, and extent of subcontract or consultant activity will be indicated and the anticipated sources will be specified and qualified. For all proposed personnel who are not currently members of the offeror's staff, a letter of commitment or other evidence of availability is required. A resume does not meet this requirement.

Commitment letters for use of consultants and other personnel to be hired must include:

• The specific items or expertise they will provide.

• Their availability to the project and the amount of time anticipated.

• Willingness to act as a consultant.

[Note: Include a resume/CV/biosketch and commitment letters for all proposed staff in the Appendices. These are not part of the 50-page count.]

Appendices – include, but not limited to the following:

6. Past Performance Appendix A

1. Qualifications of Offeror - You are requested to submit a summary of your "General Experience, Organizational Experience Related to this RFP, Performance History and Pertinent Contracts."

a. General Experience

b. Organizations Experience Related to the RFP

c. Performance History

d. Pertinent Contracts

e. Pertinent Grants

2. Summary of Related Activities (Attachment #7).

Customer Satisfaction Surveys Appendix B

Resumes/CVs/biosketches Appendix C

Letters of Commitment Appendix D

Other Considerations Appendix E

Record and discuss specific factors not included elsewhere which support your proposal. Using specifically titled subparagraphs, items may include…..(see page 60 of RFP)

508 Compliance – see page 60 of the RFP (RECONSIDERED: WILL NOT BE PART OF THE 50- PAGE COUNT) Appendix F

[Note: Attachment #8 – The HHS Section 508 Product Assessment Template.]