Questions_and_Answers_1_RFQ_HSSS01-17-Q-0190.pdf

Questions and Answers #1 (16 August 2017)

Request for Quote (RFQ) HSSS01-17-Q-0190 – Peer Support

1. In section 1.2 of the Statement of Work (SOW), it states the contractor shall be provide the training venue. In section 5.0, the SOW states that the government shall furnish the classroom.

ANSWER: Section 1.2 is correct. The contractor will locate and secure a training venue. Section

5.0 is incorrect. The Government will not provide the classroom. The contractor is responsible for securing the facility in the DC greater metro area.

2. In section 2.1.2, it states that training venue must include lodging and food facilities. Will the contractor will be responsible for funding housing and meals for students and will the government rate be available for participants?

ANSWER: The contractor is responsible for the training facility costs. The participants will be responsible for lodging and meals. The Government rate will be available for participants.

3. Does this not include the cost of the facility and overnight stays? Is this correct? This assumption is made due to the wide range of participants (75-125).

ANSWER: See answer number two (2). There will be five (5) classes with a maximum of twenty

(20) participants in each class during the base period of performance. Participants are responsible for their own lodging and food costs.

4. I am hoping to find out if there is an incumbent contractor currently performing these services or if this is a new requirement. If there is an incumbent, could you please provide the contract number?

ANSWER: No, this is a new requirement for the United States Secret Service.

5. In section 2.0.2, states that the contractor will provide training material for future DHS use. Our material is proprietary. My concern with the language “provided to DHS for future use” would imply that DHS may then distribute and even conduct future internal trainings to other components without contract (or contact) with CSS. Am I reading this correctly?

ANSWER: Any training provided becomes the property of DHS. If program curricula is requested for review or to be used, the information can be provided.

6. The SOW, section 2.1.2, states that the training venue must be GSA-approved facility that includes training room, lodging, on-site food facilities, etc. Is the contractor expected to secure the training room, lodging for all students and food for all students? If so, then the contractor is expected to add this cost to the contract - is that correct?

ANSWER: See answer number two (2). The contractor is expected to secure a training facility only. Lodging and meals are the participant’s responsibility.

7. Concerning training venue, SOW, section 5.0, states that the government will furnish the classroom facility to the contractor in support of this contract. Therefore, who is responsible for securing the space?

ANSWER: See answer number two (2). Section 5.0 is incorrect.

8. Given that course cost is usually factored per person / per day, there is a cost difference between

75 students and 125 students, as stated in SOW, section 2.0.1. There is also a cost difference between four and five classes, as stated in SOW, section. 2.1.1. Would you like us to present a cost-range (ex. Lowest cost estimate = 4 classes at 75 students. Highest cost estimate = 5 classes at 125 students)? Or provide one price based on average cost estimate?

ANSWER: See answer number three (3).

9. Are we to provide any “proof” of curriculum, course schedule, instructor bio, example scenarios, etc. as stated in SOW, section 2.1?

ANSWER: Yes.

10. Is it correct to assume that per diem cost for participants will be paid for by participants and are not included in the fixed price bid? I am assuming the facility cost needs to be included in the fixed price bid but not hotel and food for participants given such a large range (75-125)?

ANSWER: See answer number two (2). Per diem costs for participants will be paid for by participants for lodging and meals.

11. In the SOW, Section 3.1, the qualified personnel are to have completed International Critical

Incident Stress Foundation training or equivalent course instruction in Critical Incident

Response.

This seems like an odd requirement to us, as it references a very specific protocol/ particular school of training. It would be like saying to someone..."you have to practice Freudian psychology to do this work". Our experience, and the empirical research around Peer Support, does not warrant the use of any one protocol. Can you tell us more about this particular requirement, and how it can also be met? Our instructors have experience customizing critical incident response training to the particular agencies we serve, and would like that flexibility here.

Answer: Please provide any documentation that demonstrates your group’s training in critical incident intervention and response, or Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM).

12. The short turn around. This RFQ appears as an outlier to us based upon the very specific requirement above, then coupled with a very short response. We're working hard to submit our proposal by August 18, but we question in our minds if the combination of specific requirement and short turn on this may be signaling that there is a preferred vendor in mind. Any thoughts on the short response time?

Answer: No, there is not a preferred vendor.

13. Should the contractor be including the cost of the room / space to deliver this training, and does it have to be in the same hotel as the students, or can it be easily accessible, and nearby? We are assuming that all hotel costs for participants and per diem will be negotiated by the Secret

Service; please advise if otherwise.

Answer: Yes, the contractor should include the cost of the facility in the quote. However the training site may be located in the same facility as the lodging or within walking distance for easy access to the training venue. Yes, participants will pay their lodging and the Secret Service will reimburse the hotel costs to the participants and pay per diem expenses.