A00001 - Attach A 6-14-2011.pdf

Attachment A June 14, 2011

CONTRACTOR QUESTIONS/GOVERNMENT RESPONSES

RFP - HSFEEM-11-R-0032

1. QUESTION:

We have examined your Solicitation notice for the referenced opportunity. In the course of our analysis of this work, we have come to believe that the NAICS code provided by DHS/FEMA, 611710 (Educational Support Services), does not adequately fit the scope of the requirements. NAICs code 611710 implies management and administrative functions. We believe that the work described entails much more than simple management and administration of training.

As a seasoned provider of training products (web-based and stand-up), instructional development and training facilitation services, we believe that a NAICs Code of 541513 (Computer Facilities Management Services) would be better suited to this opportunity. Our rationale is as follows.

• The selected contractor will have to create, revise and/or update (entailing software development, coding, programming and integration as well as standard instructional design and curriculum development methodologies) training materials.

• A contractor is required to create, maintain and manage databases containing training information, registration, post-conference reporting, evaluations, and report generation for stakeholders.

• The contractor is required to maintain detailed inventory tracking which will require creation of database tracking scripts, spreadsheets creation and report generation capabilities.

• The contractor is required to manage a print/publication facility and mail duties.

• The contractor is required to have advanced knowledge of software (especially graphics, production principles and editorial/configuration management for multiple courses) in multiple stages of review, revision and production.

• FEMA requires materials that can be used electronically for their own use in conducting training for their own employees or contractors or as reference, and to develop and deliver training in a variety of settings (e.g., electronically, etc.). This will require the contractor to create programmable and computer/software specific training materials involving personal computers, video/webinar/satellite broadcasting, and monitoring of training activities.

• Conference registrations based online will entail helpdesk support.

ANSWER: We do not support this request and do not feel NAICS code 541513 accurately describes the program support requirements outlined in the PWS for HSFEEM-11-R-0032. There are no requirements for computer programming/coding in the PWS, and there are no instructional design requirements. The contractor is expected to be proficient in the use of off-the-shelf software such as Excel and Access for routine tracking and data management. The services described in the PWS for HSFEEM-11-R-0032 are in line with program support/administrative services and the NAICS code should remain as 611710 (Educational Support Services).

2. QUESTION: Can NFA share the current SOPs?

Answer: The current SOPs were developed as a required task under the current contract and therefore will not be released. Because development of these SOP is a required task included in the PWS the successful contractor will be responsible for development of their own SOP’s. Established SOPs are not a requirement of the RFP and are not a requirement under the technical evaluation factors. Offerors are encouraged to include descriptions in their proposal as to how they will fulfill this requirement in accordance with their proposed approach. Descriptions might include:

A brief description of the steps the offeror will take to develop the SOPs during the first 6 months following contract award, such as:

o Proposed steps which will be taken to perform Tasks 1 through 9 during the first 6 months of the contract period of performance.

o A list of proposed personnel required to perform each task.

o A list of proposed software to be utilized to perform each task.

o A list of references utilized to perform each task.

o Timeframes required to perform the task; including frequency, etc.

o Any other information the offeror would consider relevant to SOP procedures.

3. QUESTION: Can NFA share the course calendar for any one complete calendar year- for both on-campus and off-campus courses? Information containing course date (or month), course length (in # of days), course attendance (# of students) would be most beneficial.

ANSWER: As shown in the PWS under Applicable Documents, course catalogs and course schedules for FY11 and FY12 may be found at www.usfa.dhs.gov/nfa/catalog/index.shtm. The schedules contain course titles, dates, length. The catalog contains the same information as the course schedule, and also includes course descriptions. The average on-campus class is 20 to 25 students. The maximum number of students accepted to off-campus courses is 25.

4. QUESTION: Is NFA open to automating the current processes? If yes, a) can commercial-off-the-shelf software packages be used-where available-to automate, and b) can a simple LMS (Learning Management System) be deployed?

ANSWER: Yes, NFA is always open to improvements to the existing processes; however, all software must abide by the DHS approved list of software. As stated in the PWS, software will be provided to the contractor by the government. No, a LMS could not be deployed. NFA has its own LMS that is utilized for distance learning. The PWS does not require the successful contractor to perform services that involve the use of a separate LMS.

http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/nfa/catalog/index.shtm�

5. QUESTION: Is there a limit on the total number of past performance references that may submit in our proposal?

ANSWER: Yes. Five total completed questionnaires will be accepted by the government. Section L.6 of the RFP has been revised to reflect a total of five completed questionnaires.

The following sentence can now be found in Section L.6 under Past Performance - (2) Questionnaires:

“Only one completed questionnaire per contract and an overall number of five completed questionnaires, will be accepted by the Government.”

Reminder – Completed questionnaires should be relevant to “services that are comparable in contract size, type, content and complexity to this requirement.”

6. QUESTION: In section B.1 of the RFP, the base period is incorrectly listed as 10/1/2011 to 09/30/2011 and subsequently, all other option period dates are incorrect as well. Is it safe to assume that the last option period goes through 2016 instead?

ANSWER: Yes, the final option period expires September 30, 2016. The RFP (Section B.1) has been corrected. A courtesy copy of the corrected RFP is provided with this amendment.