HHS-NIH-NIDA(MH)-12-031-SF30-Amend03.pdf

OMB Approval 2700-0042

11. CONTRACT ID CODE PAGE OF PAGES

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT N/A 1 I 4

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. ,3. EFFECTIVE DATE 4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REO. NO. ,5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

03 04/6/2012 N/A N/A

6. ISSUED BY CODE I 7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6) CODE N/A

National Institutes of Health Office of Acquisitions- NIDA Neuroscience COAC NIMH R&D Contract Management Section 6001 Executive Boulevard, room 8154, MSC 9661 Bethesda, MD 20892-9661

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No. Street, County, State and ZIP: Code) ((j) 9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

r--

HHS-NIH-NIDA(MH) -12-031 X

TO ALL OFFERORS 9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

03/23/2012 TITLE: Development of State Health Policy Database for Research (SHPDR) to 10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

Advance Health Economics Research on Health Care Reform

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

CODE I FACILITY CODE

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

[8] The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers D is extended, [8] is not extended.

Offers 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 6 and 15, and returning one (1) copy 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 DATA 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 data specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

N/A

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

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

(Iii) A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14ARE 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 [8] is not, D is required to sign this document and return ___ copies to the issuing office.

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

PURPOSE: To correct the size standard for NAICS code 541720, referenced on p. 1 of the solicitation, to read $19M ($20M is incorrect) and to respond to questions asked about this solicitation

NOTE: Offerors should acknowledge receipt of all amendments with their proposal.

(Continued on p. 2)

Except as provided herein. all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 1 OA. as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

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

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

NSN 7540-01-152-6070

PREVIOUS EDITION UNUSABLE

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

Bruce E. Anderson, Contracting Officer

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 16C. DATE SIGNED

B~r.~ 'f/&/ I~ (Signature of Contracting Officer)

30-105 Computer Generated

FAR (46 CFR) 53.243

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA

RFP- HHS-NIH-NIDA(MH)-12-031

Amendment No. 03 SPECIAL PROVISIONS Page 2 of4 (04/6/12)

The following is a cumulation to date of questions that have been asked about this acquisition, with NIMH responses (12 questions):

Q.1. Can you please clarify the maximum contract amount available for the entire 5 year period of performance?

NIMH Response: See ARTICLE 8.3.a.; however, all these funds are not currently available, nor should it be assumed that this maximum is the Government's estimate of the performance cost;

see also the Estimate of Effort in Section L.1.e. (p.51 ).

Q.2. How many corporate past performances should the Prime present? And assuming corporate experience is wanted from subcontractors, how many should be presented from each subcontractor?

NIMH Response: See Section L, item 2. Instructions to Offerors (p.55); you should present all contracts/grants etc. that are most similar in scope and content to this requirement, including the past performance of subcontractors.

Q.3. What will the priorities be with regard to evaluating proposals for technical approach, past performance, and price?

NIMH Response: In the solicitation, Section M- Evaluation Factors for Award, explains the evaluation process regarding the technical approach (see factors and weights). Technical approach/merit is the paramount factor.

Section M also discusses past performance and how it is evaluated; basically if your company has no previous experience, it is considered a neutral factor (neither positive or negative).

Cost/price is also discussed - it is always a factor, although technical is paramount, and prices, terms and conditions must be considered fair and reasonable to make any award.

Q.4. We understand that review and integration of the comments received from the Request for Information (RFI) is part the early phased activities under the proposed contract. Since some of those comments could influence the optimal solution(s) we construct for the proposed requirement, will the Government release these comments now for offerors to review?

NIMH Response: These responses will only be released to the successful Contractor, after award.

Amendment No. 03 SPECIAL PROVISIONS Page 3 of 4 (04/6/12)

Q.5. Does NIH currently have relationships with the states and/or organizations that currently collect relevant data or do they expect the selected firm to establish the relationships and facilitate the data collection?

NIMH Response: NIH has no relationships with the states and/or organizations that currently collect relevant data. NIH expects that the selected Contractor will locate and access publicly available state level data sets and select/compile the relevant data from these data sets for the SHPDR. The NIH can offer no assistance in making these contacts.

The following evaluation criterion should also be noted:

B. The project team should have collective experience, skills, and knowledge in the following areas (listed in order of overall importance):

(3) knowledge of, and the ability to access existing FY201 0 state level data, using automated search techniques

Q.6. Will past performance (referenced on pages 55-56 of the RFP) from all team members be accepted? If so, will there be a limit?

NIMH Response: The entire Project Team will be evaluated in accordance with Section M Evaluation Factors for Award; all relevant CVs should be submitted.

Q.7. Does the Government intend to provide a list of key personnel (since there are no key personnel identified on page 20)?

NIMH Response: The RFP provides a shell/sample of the contract format only; the content (e.g., which personnel are considered to be "key") will be discussed during negotiations.

Q.8. Can the Government please clarify what attachments (referenced on pages 43-44 of the RFP) need to be included in each volume?

NIMH Response: The following attachments should be returned with your proposal:

Attachment 4 (follow the instructions); Attachments 5-6; Attachments 8-11

Q.9. Should SECTION K- REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS and OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS be submitted for the prime only?

NIMH Response: Submit Section K for the prime and each subcontractor.

Amendment No. 03 SPECIAL PROVISIONS Page 4 of4 (04/6/12)

Q.1 0. Can the Government please clarify what the minimum and maximum amounts are applicable to each task order (referenced on page 42 of the RFP)?

NIMH Response: The minimum and maximum amounts in this clause mirror the entire contract minimum and maximum amounts; see Article 8.3. Prices/costs.

Q.11. Can the Government please clarify the submission date of the RFI responses in 2011?

We were aware of a RFI submission in November 2011, but on page 2 of Attachment 3, the Government references an August 2011 RFI submission date.

NIMH Response: Request for Information (RFI) entitled "To Solicit Input on the Feasibility, Scope, and Design of a State Health Policy Database" (Notice Number: NOT-RM-11-019) was issued June 29, 20011, with a response date of August 26, 2011.

Q.12. Section L.2 reads: ... Proposals will be typewritten, paginated, reproduced on letter size paper, printed/copied double-sided, on at least 30 percent post consumer fiber paper ... Is there a preferred type size and style and are there page limitations for either or both the technical and business proposals?

NIMH Response: We did not specify a type size/font- please use a reasonably large enough font to allow Government officials and Reviewers to easily read the material.

Also, there are no page limitations, but we do not solicit for unnecessarily elaborate or lengthy proposals. We find that a succinct, more focused proposal is best.