09 11532 Q As.docx

August 24, 2009

Request for Proposal No. HRS11532, entitled “Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Training and Consultation Contract (ATACC)”

The purpose of this is to respond to the questions received in the HRSA Contracts Operations Branch from Offerors seeking clarification regarding the above referenced RFP.

Questions and Answers:

1. Is there an incumbent currently providing these services as specified in the RFP?

Answer: No, this is a new requirement.

2. Should stipends be incorporated into the budget for the 10 expert consultants?

Answer: Offerors should include a line item cost in their cost proposal for 10 expert consultants. See clause B.4.c., page 5 of the RFP.

3. Under Public Health Service Act, as amended, Title VII, Sections 750(b) and 751, how much has been allocated to this project?

Answer: HRSA does not provide the estimated allocation of this project. Offerors are required to submit a proposed level of effort and estimated budget they anticipate the project will cost.

4. Re: page 23 of the RFP “H.3. Rights in Data The Contractor will be prohibited from publishing or disseminating information resulting from work performed under this contract, and/or, using data produced or obtained under this contract, and/or any other information or products provided by the Government, or which the Contractor develops, for any purpose other than performance under this contract without prior written approval from the Project Officer.

Ownership of Documents, Materials and Records: All documents, materials or records provided to the Contractor, developed or maintained by the Contractor in the performance of this contract are deemed to be property of the Government.

Failure on the part of the Contractor to comply with the printing and duplicating, and publication clearance requirements stated above will be deemed unauthorized services and reimbursement will be denied. “

For years we have been collecting and publishing reports for the National AHEC Organization (NAO) utilizing data that was voluntarily provided by the nationwide AHEC system. The national network has indicated that it highly values the reports and the procedures we have established. We would certainly desire to continue and improve those processes. Some of that data will no doubt be included in the ATACC project.

1. Please help us understand the section copied above in relationship to our ability to continue to provide reports to our NAO membership and the restrictions that the ATACC funded project make impose.

1. Is there a procedure for requesting exception/alternate to this condition?

Answer: A contractor may request exceptions to Clause H.3. Rights in Data, see Clause H.5 Clearance/Production of Information Products/Services, page 22 of the RFP.

5. Will HHS be agreeable to furnish to the selected prime contractor a letter authorization to permit the prime to “use Government sources of supply” in accordance with FAR part 51, thus enabling the prime to obtain GSA-approved Federal Supply Schedule pricing from subcontractors that have been awarded such GSA contracts?

Answer: Yes, after award the contracting officer will provide a letter authorizing the contractor to utilize Government supply sources.