HRSA OPTN Board Support Contract Clinic Transcript.pdf

OPTN Board Support IDIQ Contract Clinic Transcript

Board Support Contract Clinic Transcript OPTN Modernization

February 20, 2024

Board Support Contract Clinic Transcript

Transcript

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:00:57

Welcome to the Contract Clinic for Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network… the

Board of Directors Support solicitation.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:01:08

My name is Jimmy Hupalar, I'll be the contracting officer for this effort. And I have, I would like to introduce, Naomi Inazawa. She would be the contract specialist.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:01:20

While conducting market research, one finding from the market is, one finding for the market is that capable sources for OPTN Board Support IDIQ.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:01:33

You may not be familiar with all the mechanics of a contracting with the federal government. By holding this clinic, we hope to promote a common understanding of the procurement requirements. The solicitation terms and conditions. And finally, evaluation criteria.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:01:54

This solicitation is based on FAR, federal acquisition regulation part 15 titled Negotiated

Contracting and part 16.5 Indefinite Delivery Contracts.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:02:09

Before I begin. I want to provide some ground rules regarding this clinic. Number one, as I go through each section of the solicitation, I will set some time for questions relevant to that section. Number 2. I cannot go over anything that may violate the procurement integrity.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:02:33

Any information shared by the government must not create an unfair competitive advantage.

So, I may not be able to answer specific technical questions regarding the performance work statement.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:02:49

Number 3. We want our session to be interactive and encourage you to ask questions as we move through the various section of the solicitation.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:03:00

However, please keep in mind that our end goal with the allotted time that we have, we spend majority of that time in understanding Sections L, titled Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to

Offeror, and section M titled Evaluation Factors for Award.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:03:22

Please use the Zoom chat function to submit your questions. To ensure that we address as many questions as possible, please submit these questions related to that section that I'm currently in or discussing. My staff will be monitoring the chat and we will read the questions aloud for me to answer or address at the end of that section.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:03:48

If time doesn't allow me to get to your question, please, resubmit them utilizing the vendor intake form linked under the attachment link section on SAM.gov. Now let's dive into the RFP.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:04:10

So, the first thing you were seeing is the cover page. This is what we call the cover page of the solicitation.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:04:18

You will see the title. RFP, 75 R 6 0 2 2 4 R 0 0 0 9.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:04:28

And you will see the solicitation.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:04:40

Then you will see the NAICS code the North American Industry Classification System. For this requirement, it's 5 4 1 6 1 1. That's administrative management and general management consulting services.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:04:59

It is also important to know that this is a draft solicitation. It is subject to potential revisions or changes. Before we post the final solicitation on SAM.gov. As such, offerors are encouraged to monitor continually SAM.gov for updates. HRSA is not currently accepting proposals based on this draft solicitation.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:05:31

So, let's move on to section 3 of the cover letter. Section 3 of the cover letter details where to submit questions regarding the draft solicitation. Questions will be accepted until 12 o'clock PM

Eastern Time on February 28.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:05:49

We encourage you to submit questions at any time before deadline. Please don't wait until the last moment.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:05:58

Section 4 of the cover letter notes that the government will provide additional period for questions once we post the final solicitation.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:06:10

The government will provide additional period once again, for questions, once we post the final solicitation. Section 5 of the cover letter. Please note that the government will not cover any cost related to preparing and submitting the proposal. Nor does it guarantee an award.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:06:33

As of now, proposals are due no later than 12 o'clock PM Eastern Time on June 18. So, the next part that you will see in a cover page is you must be registered in SAM.gov. Generally, it takes approximately 48 days to become registered. But delays do happen, so please do not wait until the last minute to register.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:07:05

Does anybody have any questions regarding the cover letter?

[Patrick Dillon] 13:07:19

Jimmy, can you hear me?

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:07:22

Yes.

[Patrick Dillon] 13:07:23

Okay, we have one question. When will questions submitted via the vendor intake form be answered? And how will answers be shared?

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:07:37

Okay, so, generally we will start answering the questions once the period to submit questions has passed. So likely, depending on the number of questions, you know, that would be within a couple of weeks. It would be after the last date that the government are accepting questions and we will post the question and answer on SAM.gov for all perspective vendors to monitor or to see.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:08:17

Are there any other questions? Regarding the cover page?

[Patrick Dillon] 13:08:22

Okay, we have one more question, Jimmy.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:08:22

Okay.

[Patrick Dillon] 13:08:26

Will final versions of the PWS document include task specific performance standards and deliverables, similar to prior OPTN contract PWS?

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:08:46

So, repeat that question again.

[Patrick Dillon] 13:08:49

Will the final versions of the PWS document include task specific performance standards and deliverables?

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:09:01

Oh yes, yes.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:09:12

Are there any other questions?

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:09:16

So, let's move on to section A of the solicitation. So, section A, we call that standard form 33 or we call that SF 33. It includes some very important information.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:09:31

So, on block number 3, I believe that is. You know that's the actual solicitation number. Alright, and block number 6 is the date issued. And you would see in block number 11 is a table of contents of the solicitation. You notice that there's 13 sections of the solicitation. You familiarize yourself with all 13 sections. So, it's important that the vendors who submit a proposal must complete blocks 15 A, 16, 17, and 18.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:10:13

Once again, it's important that vendors who submitted proposal complete blocks 15 A, 16, 17, and 18. The name and title of the person authorized to sign an offer would be block 16 of SF 33.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:10:35

Do you have any questions on section A? Before I move on.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:10:48

Okay, let's move on to section B. Titled Supplies or Services and Price/Cost.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:10:55

So, this section identifies the contract line items. The billable information. It also lets you know what type of contract the government is soliciting.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:11:06

In this case, is an IDIQ. Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity. It's a type of contract where the government can order goods or services to be delivered over a specified period. It allows the government to order varying quantities of supplies or services as needed up to a predetermined amount without having to renegotiate the terms of the contract. For this particular IDIQ may be issued as a cost reimbursement, labor hour, time and material, or firm fixed price, or any combination there on.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:11:50

So, section B 2 1 refers the IDIQ contract is having a prepaid tab. We call that the minimum dollar guarantee. It explains this in detail.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:12:05

There are a few notes pertaining to section B 2 1. When the government orders, when the government needs to order services, we will issue a task order. The task order will be fully funded. At the time, the task order may also have option periods. When we refer to the minimum dollar guarantee for this IDIQ, it's $2,500 and that’s guaranteed during the life of the contract.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:12:36

The total value or the total cost of all task orders issued under the parent IDIQ shall not exceed the ceiling. And in this case, it's $50 million dollars.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:12:53

Section B 2 2. That table is titled Unloaded Labor Category Ceiling Rates. This is where the vendors propose various labor categories they feel needed to complete the work outlined in a statement of work or PWS.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:13:15

It is important to note, HHSAR clause 352.231-70. Titled Salary Rate Limitations. Contractors cannot bill the government for more than executive level 2 annual salary… 6-month extension for clause 52.217-8. The government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and a rate specified in the contract… the 6-month extension. Therefore, it is important for you as an offeror to provide us pricing for those 6 months.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:14:04

Let's move on to section B 3. So, B 3, please pay attention to number 4 in direct cost and number 5, titled Fixed Fee. This is where vendors incorporate their overhead. Indirect costs established negotiated indirect cost rate assuming contract rates shall be used for the life of the contract unless the cognizant auditing agency establishing a lower rate. If you do not have an established negotiated cost rate agreement, please contact The National Institute of Health, Division of Financial Advisory Services as provided in the solicitation.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:14:50

Fixed fee. Structured for cost reimbursement and for a fixed price type task orders. The fixed fee covers the contractors expenses and profit. It remains or stays the same for the life of the contract unless, even if the cost or performance change.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:15:14

Are there any questions in Section B?

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:15:29

Okay, let's move on to section C and D. Section C and D. I'm not going to really go over because it's self-explanatory.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:15:37

Unless anybody has any questions, section C or D. We're going to move on to section E. So, section E titled Inspection and Acceptance. Section E inspection, acceptance. I want to point out

E 2 and E 3. E 2 includes clauses that the contracting officer representative will use to inspect services you provide.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:16:06

Section E 3 refers to the quality assurance surveillance plan, a cost may be required at the task order level under this section. Costs are utilized by the government to monitor a contractors performance.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:16:27

Do you have any questions in this section?

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:16:36

So, let's move on to section F, titled Deliveries or Performance. Section F discusses deliverables, performance, place of performance, and observed federal holidays. Pay attention to section F

4, which states 508 compliance will be required at the task order level. HHS guidance regarding accessibility of documents can be found within this section in the solicitation.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:17:06

It is important that all offerors are familiar with the clauses listed in section F 6. In this case, in case there's a need for work to stop or should you experience a government delay.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:17:27

Do you have any questions regarding this section?

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:17:35

So, let's move on to section G, titled Contract Administration Data. Section G goes over how the contract will be administered. The core will be assigned at the time of award and the information within the contract will be updated. And section G 2 identifies the core’s responsibilities. And section G 3 lists.. there’s a list of restrictions on the core’s authority.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:18:11

So, let's move on to section G 4, key personnel. We have designated the project manager role for the IDIQ as essential. In addition to the information already noted, please note that G 7 and

G 8 provides information on how task orders will be issued.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:18:34

Section G 9 provides guidance on how the government invoice processing platform works and where contractors submit their invoices.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:18:50

Are there any questions in section G before I move on?

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:19:01

Okay, section H titled Special Contract Requirements. Section H provides information on a wide variety of contract specific terms and conditions. I want to point out something very important.

Under H 1 minimum eligibility requirement for this procurement, offerors must be a nonprofit entity at the time of proposal submission. Non-profit means being a 501 c3.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:19:35

Organizations recognized as such by the IRS must be registered in SAM.gov as a nonprofit organization. Offerors must be able to perform as an independent and separate contractor from other OPTN contractors. This means not being a prime or sub on any other OPTN contracts task order for the life of the contract. That's very important.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:20:11

The reason why that's very important is the contractor for this contract will provide services necessary to assist the Board of Directors to lead the OPTN.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:20:35

Section H 2 goes over the organizational conflict of interest, pre-award organizational conflict of interest. Contractors must disclose all OCIs that arise during the solicitation. Under post-award organizational conflict of interest, contractors must report all actual and potential conflicts of interest pertaining to this contract through the contracting officer, including those that would cause the contemplated modification to this contract or another contract.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:21:17

Do you have any questions in this section before I move on?

[Patrick Dillon] 13:21:28

Hey Jimmy, we have 2 questions.

[Patrick Dillon] 13:21:32

Okay, number one, will participants names and companies on today's call be shared with participants?

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:21:43

Could you repeat that again?

[Patrick Dillon] 13:21:47

Will participants names and companies on today's call be shared with participants?

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:21:59

Yes, we will provide transcripts.

[Patrick Dillon] 13:22:05

Okay, question number 2.

[Patrick Dillon] 13:22:11

Will, invoices for this contract be paid by appropriated funds? If not, how will OPTN funds be accessed to pay contractor invoices?

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:22:25

So, the contractor that receives a contract for the Board of Directors contract… that will be paid by the federal government. So, you will submit your invoice on IPP, and the federal government will pay that invoice.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:22:43

So, I believe we have a question here in a meeting chat that says can one be a prime contract on one contract, for example, Board Support in a subcontract on another contract, for example

Operations?

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:22:58

No, you may not. You cannot. If you're a contractor on Board of Directors Support contract you may not be a prime or sub on any other OPTN contract.

[Patrick Dillon] 13:23:24

Hey Jimmy, we have another question. Will the transcripts of the call include participant names and companies?

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:24:32

So, I'm misspoke my apologies. Lists of participants and contacts will be posted on the OPTN

Modernization site. Once again, the list of participant and contacts will be listed on the OPTN

Modernization site.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:25:42

So, there's a question here. Why is the solicitation to support the nonprofit OPTN board limited to non-profit offerors?

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:25:51

So, we the government have determined an organizational conflict may exist otherwise.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:26:01

So, unless there's any other questions, I'm going to move on to section I.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:26:09

So, section I, titled, Contract Clauses. In this section, we incorporate all the relative relevant parts of the federal acquisition regulation and HHS acquisition regulation clauses. Section I 1 provides a reference to all contractors on where they may locate the full text versions of all clauses listed within this solicitation.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:26:39

In case there are any issues within the performance of a contract, please note the government, refers to the following clauses.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:26:48

That's FAR 52249- 6. Titled Termination, Cost Reimbursement, FAR 52249-8. Default, Fixed

Price, Supply and Service, and Termination for Default.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:27:07

These clauses are important to be familiar with just in case there's not performance. There's

FAR clause 52249-2 Termination for Convenience, fixed price… these clauses are just as important in case there's no longer a need for these services by the government.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:27:27

There's FAR clause 52243-1, changes fixed price, and FAR 52243-2 changes cost reimbursement, and 52243-3, changes clause, times and material, or labor hours. And then lastly, FAR clause

52233-1 titled disputes.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:27:53

Other clauses to take note of are the limitation of cost clause 52.232-20. This is important because under a cost reimbursement task order, the vendor must notify the contracting officer if they have incurred 75% of the contract estimated cost specified in the Schedule.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:28:27

So, there's 52216-18, ordering. The dates to be filled out at the time of the award in this clause will set the timeframe the government may order or issue task orders under this contract.

52217-9, option to extend the term of the contract. We will use this clause when we go to exercise an option period. The contract will have 4-to-12-month option periods. The government will send a letter of intent to the contractor at least 30 calendar days before the contract expires.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:29:15

There's a HHSAR Clause 352.239 - 73 and – 74. That’s section 508 Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:29:31

In the architectural transportation, various compliance board, electronic, and information accessibility standards. They require that when a federal agency develops, procures, maintains, or uses electronic or information technology federal employees with disabilities have access to and use information and data that is comparable to the access and use by federal employees who are not individuals with disability unless an undue burden would be imposed. Section 5 also requires an individual with disabilities who are members of the public seeking information or services from a federal agency have access to and use information and data that is comparable to that provided to the public who are not individuals unless an undue burden will be imposed by the agency.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:30:40

Do you have any question in this section before I move on?

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:30:55

Okay, let's move on to section J. Section J Titled List of Attachment. Section J contains attachment number, title, and the number of pages of each attachment that's included in this solicitation.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:31:13

Are there any questions?

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:31:19

So, let's move on to section K titled Representation Certification and other statements of the offeror. Section K contains elements that a contractor must certify to when submitting a proposal. These certifications should already be documented in SAM.gov.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:31:41

The following sections and clauses must be completed by the offeror upon proposal submission

Section K 1. 52 FAR clause 52.209-7, information regarding responsibility matters. FAR clause

52.230-1 cost accounting standards and notices and certification. This clause is important because it requires the contractor to submit a disclosure statement along with the name of the continent or federal official that certified your cost accounting standard.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:32:29

FAR clause, 52.230-7. Proposal disclosure. That use with cost accounting practice.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:32:38

In section K 3, responsible official who can negotiate and receive notification of improper invoice and answers questions regarding that improper invoice. So, vendors once again must complete Section K 1.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:33:02

Before I move on to the next section. Do you have any questions in this section?

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:33:18

Okay, section L. Title instructions. Conditions and notices to offer. Section L details how your proposal must be formatted, the page limits and various forms required. It is very important for you to understand this section. Pay attention and ensure that your proposal is considered acceptable and responsive.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:33:49

So, I wanted to point out the following. I want to reiterate that this solicitation is in draft form and is subject to potential revisions before we pull the final on SAM.gov. We would like to advise all offers to check SAM.gov for updates. The final solicitation is scheduled to be released soon.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:34:23

And section L 5. Or 6. Yeah, L 5 states clarity, relevance, and conciseness of your proposal is more important than the length of your proposal.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:34:41

Session L 7. Section 1 states that government will not pay any costs associated with preparation and submission of a proposal. Number 8 requires a statement indicating whether or not exceptions are taken to the terms and conditions of this solicitation.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:35:08

And that should be part of your proposal transmittal letter. Any exceptions taken must be identified in a specific paragraph and rationale for each exceptions. Exceptions shall also be noted in your proposal.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:35:34

Please note, offerors are cautioned that a proposal that fails to comply with or takes exception to a material I term of this solicitation will be considered unacceptable and may not form the basis of award. Example, 501 c3 organization. You have to be a nonprofit entity.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:36:05

So, number nine states a technical and business proposal volumes information shall be submitted separately and clearly labeled. Your proposal shall have three volumes one, technical, volume two, past performance, and volume three, business. Each of these volumes should be separate and complete in itself. L 10 states offers have the option to propose contractor teaming arrangements, if anticipated must be submitted in volume one of the technical proposal. Once you submit a teaming arrangement, it cannot be modified or altered throughout the procurement process.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:37:04

So, L 11 requires you to include a statement on your cover letter or cover page of your proposal that is valid for minimum of 180 days from the date of government receipt.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:37:24

L 2 Inquiries. All questions concerning the solicitations are due 12 o'clock Eastern Time, February 28. Questions submitted after the due date will not be accepted.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:37:48

L 3 titled Technical Proposal Instructions. This is important. Volume one should be organized by sections A through E. Instructions for each of these sections are stated in L. 3.1. For example, under section 8, Contract management and multi-vendor collaboration approach. L point 3.1 instructs you to explain how you plan to meet your requirements by outlining your overall strategy.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:38:30

Point 4, past performance. That's volume 2, the following items are important to know about volume 2 past performance. Offerors shall submit at least three past performance references if the offeror has not held any federal contracts, an offeror may submit from the state, local or private contracts using the past performance questionnaire, and that's titled Attachment E.

Please note that the government reserves the right to obtain any information in the evaluation of past performance from any and all sources, including inside and outside the government.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:39:22

L 5 title business proposal. Section L 5 provides instructions on how to draft or put together your business proposal.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:39:37

I also want to know that section L 11 is reserved for sample task orders. And that will be included in the final solicitation. Once again, section L 11 is reserved for sample task orders and will be provided with the final solicitation.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:40:00

So, let's move on to section M titled, Evaluation Factors for Award. This section lays out exactly how the government will select and evaluate your proposal. The government intends to use best value trade-off. This process permits trade-off among costs or price and non-cost factors and allows the government to accept other than the lowest price proposal. Section L provided you the instructions on how to develop your proposal. Now this section tells you how the government will evaluate the proposal. It's important to pay attention to section A M 4, titled

Award Criteria. I want to point out some important things here. Proposals which merely offer to conduct a program in a course with the requirements of the government's performance work statement would not be eligible for an award.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:41:09

The government may decide to evaluate proposals and award contracts without discussion with the offeror. So, all offerors should provide their best complete proposal during their initial submission. The government may also hold discussions or may make an award without discussions if deemed necessary by the contracting office. The government has the right to make no award, award one, or multiple awards as a result of this solicitation.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:41:50

So, M 4 Award Criteria. Section M 4 provides a detailed description of how the offerors will be rated. The government is looking for proposal that provides the best overall value, utilize following three evaluation criteria or factors. They're listed in importance and descending order. So, number one, technical. Number 2 cost/price and number 3, past performance. So, under M 4. I would like to point out all factors will be evaluated on a stand-alone basis.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:42:41

The technical factor is more important than cost or price factor. The cost price/price factor is more important than past performance. In the event that the technical evaluation reveals two or more offerors, that are approximately equal in technical ability, then the price factor will become more significant. However, the government reserves the right to make an award based upon best value for the government, cost and technical factors considered.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:43:26

So let me repeat that. One more time, this is important. The technical factors more important than cost/price factor. The cost/ price factor is more important than past performance. In the event that the technical evaluation reviews two or more offerors that are approximately equal in technical ability, then the price factor will become more significant. However, the government reserves the right to make an award based on the best value for the government, cost and technical factors considered. The technical factors will be evaluated, utilized in confidence and support ratings provided under section M 5 of the solicitation.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:44:13

As performance factor will be evaluated using the past performance, relevancy and confidence rating located under section M 6 of the solicitation.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:44:27

So, the cost/price factor will be evaluated utilizing the offers proposed labor rates for each labor category in addition, to the offerors proposed total price on a sample task order provided to determine fair and reasoning. Now, at this time, once again, we don't have any information on the sample task order. However, it will be provided under the final solicitation.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:45:01

So, that’s volume 3 to include but not limited to… administrative and management data and subcontracting plan will be evaluated for completeness, compliance and acceptability.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:45:26

So, before I move on. And close this section M. Does anybody have any questions? Cause these

2 sections are very important. Section L tells vendors out there how to put together your solicitation or your proposal and answering the solicitation and section M tells you, explains to you in detail how the government plans to evaluate your proposal.

[Gina Dillon] 13:46:00

Jimmy, we have 2 questions for section M. Possibly, L and M, the first is can the OPTN executive director be an employee of the Board Support contractor? If not, who will their employer be?

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:46:19

So, repeat that question one more time.

[Gina Dillon] 13:46:26

Can the OPTN Executive Director be an employee of the Board Support contractor? If not, who will their employer be?

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:46:41

So that's a very good question, and I'm going to have to table that, and I will respond to that question in writing. So that was a very good question and please I'm going to table that from now. And I will be the government will respond to that question in writing.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:47:04

Gina, do you have another question?

[Gina Dillon] 13:47:05

I do. Next question actually, we have two other questions. Next question, I do believe you've touched on Jimmy but it's “Can you please put the link in the chat, or advise where the list of participants can be found?”

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:47:18

Okay, yes, so, the list of participants in the transcript will be posted on the OPTN Modernization site. Once again, the list of participants will be posted on OPTN Modernization site.

[Gina Dillon] 13:47:36

And the last question, I want to follow up on an earlier question, you mentioned that invoices will be paid by the federal government. The OPTN Final Rule states that the OPTN will collect registration fees, and in the current state, the OPTN reimburses the contractor for expenses…

Can you hear me?

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:48:09

So that was another very good question. And I'm going to have to table that one also. And I'll get back to you in writing. So please, note that question. That was a very good question. And also have to make a correction. So, I did say that the list of participants and transcript will be posted on the OPTN Modernization site. That's incorrect. The transcripts will be posted on

SAM.gov. So, list of participants will be posted on SAM.gov, the OPTN Modernization site. Once again, I stand corrected. The list of participants will be posted on the OPTN Modernization site and the transcript for this contract clinic will be posted on SAM.gov.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:49:02

So those two other questions were very good questions. We, the government, will answer those questions in writing. I'm going to have to table that for now.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:49:40

Does anybody have any other questions? So, the main purpose of this clinic was to ensure that nonprofit organizations or offerors out there understand sections L and section M. And any questions that we did not answer during this contract clinic? We will address in writing. Are there any other questions?

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:50:38

So, in closing, we appreciate your participation in this contract clinic. We hope to enhance your understanding of our solicitation process… will pave the way for successful collaboration between your organization and the government.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:50:56

Thank you very much.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:51:16

I just want to remind all vendors who attended this session, you still have an opportunity to submit questions using the intake form on the solicitation on the cover page. We will entertain questions up till February 28, 12 o'clock Eastern Time. Once again, so you still have an opportunity to submit questions.

[Sarah DePeri] 13:51:54

Hey Jimmy, there is a question. Please confirm where answers will be.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:52:08

So, the questions and answers regarding the solicitation will be posted on SAM.gov for all vendors to see. And once again, we're going to, once we pull the final solicitation, we’re going to give vendors an opportunity to ask questions. So, there will be a period of questions and answers.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:52:59

Do we have any more questions? If there are no more questions, I would like to thank everyone very much for taking the time to attend this contract clinic.

[Jimmy Hupalar] 13:53:24

As a friendly reminder, tomorrow, HRSA will host the Organ Procurement and Transplantation

Transition Operation Contract clinic. Once again, HRSA will host the Transition Operations contract clinic. Thank you very much.