Questions and Answers to Solicitation HT001426RE001.pdf

Questions and Answers to Solicitation HT001426RE001

Question 1. We’re sending this question in regards to solicitation no. HT001426RE001.

Since the Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQ) are due to the contracting companies on 30 DEC 2025 per the attached form, we believe that we cannot wait until 9 JAN 26 to submit this question as it impacts several portions of the proposal. The PPQ form attached to the RFP appears to be aligned with a clinical support or healthcare contract versus a research and clinical translation contract. For example, the form requests the market segment be selected based on ancillary, dental, nursing, or physician services, asks for the number of credentialled providers, and asks what the facility type is under the complexity section. Additionally, the scoring criteria is based on health care workers’ quality, retention, and replenishment rates. Can the Government confirm the PPQ is accurate for this acquisition?

Additionally, with the holidays, does the form need to be signed by 30 DEC 25 or do we have flexibility to adjust the due date on the form, since the Volume 5 (Past Performance) is not due to the Government until 15 JAN 2026? We understand any clarifying information will be posted on SAM.gov. but want to ensure that we have the correct form before we send these to our CORs.

Government Response: Please refer to solicitation amendment HT001426RE0010001, 19 Dec 25, which provided a replacement Past Performance Questionnaire.

Question 2. (Firm name removed) respectfully requests that the following question regarding opportunity HT001426RE001 be addressed this week, rather than waiting until the question submission deadline, as the response is integral to understanding the Government's requirement and providing bidders' enough time have a proposal ready by the current submission due date. Unless the proposal due date is moved, or this question is answered this week, bidders will not have enough time from when an amendment with Q&A will be released, likely no earlier than January 12 based on the questions due date, to the proposal due date only 15 days later on January.

27. Reference Resumes: L.7.1 (Page Limitation); L.8.2 Volume III – Management Capability (Key Personnel); L.8.3 Volume IV – Personnel Qualifications; PWS Section

1.11 (Contractor Personnel) and PWS Part 7, Appendix I (Position Descriptions)

While Section L.7.1 notes that resumes are excluded from the page count, the solicitation does not explicitly state whether resumes are required, which positions they apply to, or in which proposal volume they should be included.

Could the Government please clarify:

1. Whether resumes are required as part of the proposal submission, or if it is sufficient to address personnel qualifications through narrative descriptions and summary tables.

2. If resumes are required, for which positions (e.g., all key personnel, all named personnel, or only certain roles)? And in which proposal volume should they be included (L.8.2 Volume III – Management Capability or L.8.3 Volume IV – Personnel Qualifications)?

3. If resumes are to be provided, can the Government supply a resume template (required sections/page guidance) to standardize submission?

Government Response: It is your firm’s prerogative on how to address the criteria, however it is acceptable to address qualifications through narrative descriptions and summary tables. Resumes are not required.

Question 3.

Reference PWS, PWS Part 1, 1.0 General Information, Section 1.1, Page No. 2

On page 2 of the PWS, Section 1.1, the PWS states, “This is a non-personal and personal services contract…” However, there are no specific legal statutes listed in the solicitation regarding the personal services requirement. Based on contracts with similar requirements it would be anticipated that 10 United States Code 1089 and 10 United States Code 1091 would be the applicable statutes.

Question (a): Would the Government please provide the specific legal statutes that are applicable to the personal services requirement and add these to the solicitation?

Question (b): Would the Government please include language that limits the liability of contractors under the personal services requirement?

Government Response: The personal service requirement has been removed; all services are nonpersonal. Refer to revised PWS.

Question 4.

Reference PWS, PWS, 1.4 Objectives; RFP Section L.7.1.2, Page No. 3, 31

On PWS Section 1.4, page 3, the Government states, “The prime contractor and any sub-contractors will hold and maintain an active Federal wide Assurance (FWA) that is accepted and approved by the Office for Human Research Protection (OHRP).”

Question: To ensure FWA compliance, will the Government provide which proposal volume the Offerors should include them and confirm they are not part of page count?

Government Response: It is excluded from the page count limitations and is to be submitted in L.8.2. Volume II - Technical Approach/Capability.

Question 5.

Reference PWS, PWS, 1.7.6, Business Associate Agreement (BAA) (DOD Version); PWS Part 7, 7.0, Exhibit 7, Page No. 8, 50

In PWS Section 1.7.6, page 8, the Government states, “The contractor shall sign the BAA and submit it as part of their proposal to the Government. Any subcontractors having access to information covered by the BAA shall also sign a BAA and deliver it to the prime contractor for delivery to the COR. The BAA shall be signed before access to information covered by the BAA. The BAA shall be signed by a representative of the company authorized to commit the company.” However, the solicitation did not provide the BAA as indicated in PWS Part 7, Exhibit 7 on page 50 and the requirement for a BAA was not mentioned in the RFP Section L instructions.

Question: Will the Government please provide a copy of the BBA (as Exhibit 7) and identify if it should be submitted in the Volume I, Business Proposal, and be excluded from the page count?

Government Response: It is excluded from the page count limitations and is to be submitted in Volume I, Business Proposal.

Question 6.

Reference PWS, Cost and Pricing Excel File, PWS Section 1.12 Key Personnel; PWS Part 7, 7.0, Attachment 2; Cost and Pricing Excel File, Page No. 11, 53-54

The Government has provided 3 different numbers of Key Personnel within the Solicitation documents as follows: -- In the Cost and Pricing Excel File, the worksheet indicates there are 26 Key Personnel -- In PWS Section 1.12, page 11, the Government states, “there are 16 key positions comprised of 25 key personnel.” -- IN PWS Part 7, Attachment 2, on pages 53-54, the sum of the Key Personnel hours in the table indicates 22 Key Personnel.

Question: Assuming the cost and pricing excel file is correct and there are 26 key personnel, will the Government please revise the PWS Sections 1.12 and Part 7, Attachment 2?

Government Response: Updates have been made across documents for consistency.

Question 7.

Reference PWS, PWS Part 7, 7.0, Exhibit 6, Page No. 50

PWS Part 7, states that Exhibit 6 is the “DOD Contract Security Classification Specification.”

Question: Please provide the DD-254 and confirm it should be included in Volume I, Business Proposal and excluded from the page count.

Government Response: It is excluded from the page count limitations and is to be submitted in Volume I, Business Proposal. See provided DD Form 254 and Instructions (2 documents in PDF format).

Question 8.

Reference PWS, PWS Cost and Pricing Excel File, PWS Part 7, Attachment 2; PWS Appendix I; Cost and Pricing Excel File, Page No. 54, 92

PWS Part 7, Attachment 2, Item 36 on page 54, lists one Research Psychometrist. PWS Appendix I on page 92, lists two Research Psychometrists. The Cost and Pricing Excel File lists one Research Psychometrist.

Question: Will the Government please provide the correct number of Research Psychometrists on the contract to be priced?

Government Response: The PWS has been updated to denote one Research Psychometrist located at NMCSD.

Question 9.

Reference Cost and Pricing Excel File, Cost and Pricing Excel File

In the Cost and Pricing Excel File spreadsheet, the Government has listed the labor categories and the hours per labor category at 1872 hours per full time equivalent.

Question: Would the Government confirm that all Offerors are required to price all listed positions based on the hours provided in the Cost and Pricing Excel File?

Government Response: All Offerors are required to price all listed positions based on the hours provided by the Government on the Excel file.

Question 10.

Reference RFP, General

This solicitation does not mention a requirement for Offerors to provide medical liability insurance.

Question (a): Are Offerors required to purchase medical liability insurance?

Question (b): If medical liability insurance is required, what are the minimum amounts?

Government Response: It is your firm’s prerogative. Refer to Question 3 response and RFP Section I insurance requirements.

Question 11.

Reference RFP, Section 8, Special Contract Requirements, PD 09-01 ENCLOSURE 3 – ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST (APRIL 23, 2015), Page No. 13

Section 8, PD 09-01 Enclosure 3 on page 13 discusses Organizational Conflicts of Interest. There was no OCI disclosure form provided in the RFP.

Question: Does the Government want Offerors to provide an OCI statement as part of the Volume I Business Proposal response?

Government Response: Offerors shall provide an OCI statement as part of their Volume I Business Proposal response.

Question 12.

Reference RFP, Section I – Contract Clauses, Page No. 15

Section I Contract Clauses on page 15 includes FAR 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards. However, no wage determination schedules were provided in this solicitation.

Question: Will the Government please provide the applicable wage determination schedules?

Government Response: See solicitation amendment HT001426RE0010003.

Question 13.

Reference RFP, Section I – Contract Clauses, Page No. 15

Section I Contract Clauses, page 15, provides 52.219-16 Liquidated Damages- Subcontracting Plan. As prescribed in DFARS 219.708(b)(2), contractors that have comprehensive subcontracting plans approved under the Test Program described in 219.702-70 do not use FAR 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages-Subcontracting Plan.

Question: Will the Government remove FAR 52.219-16 Liquidated Damages- Subcontracting Plan for those Offerors holding a negotiated Comprehensive Small Business Subcontracting Plan?

Government Response: If an Offeror holding a negotiated comprehensive Small Business subcontracting plan approved as prescribed at DFARS 219.708(b)(2) is selected for award, FAR Clause 52.219-16 shall be removed.

Question 14.

Reference RFP, Section L – Instructions, Page No. 31

Section L Instructions do not specify that 11x17 pages are acceptable.

Question: Would the Government confirm that an 11x17 graphic would be acceptable and only count as a single page?

Government Response: Only 8.5x11 graphic is acceptable.

Question 15.

Reference RFP, Section L – Instructions, L.7.2.h, Page No. 32

Section L Instructions L.7.2.h lists the Online Representation and Certifications Application (ORCA Information).

Question (a): Will the Government please confirm what is required for the Online Representation and Certifications Application (ORCA Information)?

Question (b): Would completion of Section K, Representations, Certification, & Other Statements satisfy this requirement or would the Government prefer we provide the search results?

Government Response: The Online Representation and Certifications Application (ORCA Information) has been replaced by the application at the SAM.gov site. The SAM.gov representation and certifications are required.

Question 16.

Reference RFP, Section L – Instructions, L.7.1.k, Page No. 32

RFP Section L Instructions, L.7.1.k on page 32 states resumes are not part of page count. However, there are no instructions on which volume to include the resumes.

Question: Will the Government confirm that the key personnel resumes should be part of Volume IV Personnel Qualifications?

Government Response: If an Offeror at its discretion chooses to provide resumes, they should be part of Volume IV Personnel Qualifications. After award, the Government may request resumes.

Question 17.

Reference RFP, Section L – Instructions, Page No. 32

Question: To lower risk to the Government and ensure the availability of Offeror’s proposed key personnel, will the Government add a requirement for signed “Letters of Intent” for all key personnel and provide these in Volume IV Personnel Qualifications and they not be part of page count?

Government Response: The Government will not incorporate this requirement.

Question 18.

Reference RFP, Section L – Instructions, L.7.2, Proposal Files Table, Page No. 32

The table on page 32 in Section L Instructions, L.7.2, requires proposals to be submitted via email in PDFs.

Question: Will the Government please provide the email file size?

Government Response: A maximum email file size for submissions is 20 MB. Files approaching that size or greater must be broken into multiple emails, i.e., “file 1 of 4, 2 of 4, 3 of 4”, etc.

Question 19.

Reference RFP, Section L – Instructions, L.7.2, Proposal Files Table, Volume VIII, Cost/Price, L.8.8.5 Cost/Pricing Volume Content, Page No. 32, 34

Section L.7.2 on Page 32 states, “2 – 1 Original + 1 Sanitized (in Excel format” for the Volume VIII, Cost/Price. This requires a substantial amount of narrative and proof of documentation as prescribed in Section L.8.8.5 Cost/Pricing Volume Content starting on page 34.

Question: For the ease of readability, evaluation, and documentation, would the Government confirm Offerors can submit a Cost/Price Narrative as Word document converted to a PDF format along with the completed Cost and Pricing Excel file?

Government Response: Offerors may submit the narrative as a Word document converted to a PDF format along with the completed Cost and Pricing Excel file. A sanitized copy is not required. See revised Section L.7.2 Proposal Files.

Question 20.

Reference RFP, l.8.1. Volume I – Business Proposal, Page No. 33

In the instructions for Volume I – Business Proposal on page 33, the Government states, “Unless specifically agreed upon between the prime and individual team members, company financial information shall not be accessible between the offering parties.

Team members shall submit their current financial statements and other financial information to the Government through the prime contractor under individually sealed packages.”

Question (a): If a subcontractor is not proposed on a cost-reimbursable basis are they required to provide financial information in a sealed package?

Question (b): Since all proposals are to be submitted via email and due to providing company sensitive information, will the Government allow subcontractors to email their “sealed package of information” directly to the Government and reference the Prime Contractor?

Government Response: Financial information is not required from subcontractors. See revised Section L.8.1 Volume I – Business Proposal.

Question 21.

Reference RFP, L.8.8.5 Cost/Pricing Volume Content, Tab 8, Page No. 35

Section L.8.8.5 Cost/Pricing Volume, on page 35, lists two Tab 8s.

Question: Would the Government confirm “Tab 8 – Additional Information” should reflect “Tab 9 – Additional Information.”

Government Response: See revised Section L.8.8.5 Cost/Price Volume Content.

Question 22.

Reference RFP, M.3.4 Factor IV – Prior Experience, M.3.5 Factor IV – Past performance Risk (Past and Present Performance), Page No. 40, 41

Section M page 40 and 41 shows both Prior Experience and Past Performance Risk, as Factor IV.

Question: Would the Government confirm Past Performance Risk should be Factor V?

Government Response: See revised Section M.3.4 factor numbering.

Question 23.

Reference Cost/Price, RFP Section I – Contract Clauses, Page 15, 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards

Question: While FAR 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards is included in the RFP, no applicable wage determinations were provided. Given that the majority of the contract labor categories cover professional employees, can the Government confirm that SCLS requirements do not apply?

Government Response: See response to Question 12 above.

Question 24.

Reference Past Performance, RFP L.7.2, page 32, and RFP L.8.5.2, Page 33

Question: Does the list of primary point of contacts that will be submitting/completing the questionnaires count as part of the 5-page summary detailing the relevance of past performance data provided?

Government Response: The list of primary point of contacts that will be submitting/completing the questionnaires does not count as part of the 5-page summary.

Question 25.

Reference Cost/Price, RFP L.7.2, Page 32

Question: Would the Government please clarify the required submission format for Volume VIII – Cost/Price? Should the cost proposal be submitted only in Excel format or in both Excel and PDF (i.e., Cost and Pricing spreadsheet in Excel and the cost narrative in PDF)? Additionally, if sanitized versions of these files are required, please clarify what elements should be redacted or removed in both the Excel workbook and the PDF cost narrative to ensure full compliance with submission requirements?

Government Response: See Question 19 response and revised Section L.7.2 Proposal Files.

Question 26.

Reference Business, RFP L.8.1, Page 32, Volume I – Business Proposal

Question: RFP Section L.8.1 states that the Offeror shall provide “Two (2) copies, sanitized copy shall not contain corporate logos, signatures, or any other company identifiable information.” Can Government please clarify if staff member names constitute “company identifiable information”?

Government Response: The Government considers staff member names as “company identifiable information”.

Question 27.

Reference Cost/Price, RFP L.8.1, Page 32, Volume I – Business Proposal

Question: Can the Government clarify if sanitized copies of the sealed cost package are required from subcontractors as well?

Government Response: Sanitized copies are not required from subcontractors. See revised Section L.8.1 Volume I – Business Proposal.

Question 28.

Reference Cost/Price, RFP L.8.1, Page 33, Volume I – Business Proposal

Question: RFP Section L.8.1 (Volume I – Business Proposal), page 32, states that “team members shall submit their current financial statements and other financial information to the Government through the prime contractor under individually sealed packages.” In order to ensure company proprietary information is adequately protected during an electronic submission, can the Government please confirm that Subcontractors are permitted to submit sealed packages directly to the Government?

Government Response: See Question 20 response.

Question 29.

Reference Technical, RFP L.8.2, Page 33

Question: Given the limited page count and the Government provided hours and labor mix in the Cost and Pricing spreadsheet, please clarify what the Government is requesting for the “proposed hours, and labor mix for performing the requirement” in Volume II – Technical Approach/Capability.

Government Response: See revised Section L.8.2 Volume II – Technical Approach/Capability.

Question 30.

Reference Management, RFP L.8.3, Page 33

Question: Given the limited page count and the transition-in plan requirement in Volume II – Technical Approach/Capability, please clarify what the Government is requesting for the “preliminary timeline and sequence of events” in Volume III – Management Capability.

Government Response: “Preliminary” may indicate it is an “anticipated, draft, or proposed” timeline. The “sequence of events” may indicate the “required tasks/steps/methods” the vendor anticipates based on expected level of effort and staff required. The goal is to understand the vendor’s approach in sufficient detail to provide the Government an understanding of the manner and method of management. It is up to the offeror to succinctly expand upon their capabilities (time/steps) regarding a proposed methodology related to the given PWS.

Question 31.

Reference Small Business, RFP L.8.7, Page 33

Question: The RFP states: The Offeror’s small business participation commitment also will be evaluated relative to meeting the Small Business subcontracting requirement, based on total contract value, in the chart below. Please confirm there is no missing chart that should be included.

Government Response: Refer to blank chart currently at the bottom of Page 35.

Question 32.

Reference Cost/Price, RFP L.8.8.5, Page 34

Question: Does the term “tabs” refer to including the requested information in Excel workbook tabs in the cost/price template, or to section headings within the PDF cost narrative?

Government Response: Tabs refer to the section headings within the PDF cost narrative.

Question 33.

Reference Business, RFP L.8.8.5, Page 35, Tab 5 – Financial Capability

Question: RFP Section L.8.8.5, Tab 5 – Financial Capability, states that Offerors must provide financial statements, including income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, and line of credit. As this is not typically requested of subcontractors, can the Government please confirm that this is only required of the Prime Offeror?

Government Response: Financial statements are only required from the prime Offeror.

Question 34.

Reference Cost/Price, RFP L.8.1, Page 33, Volume I – Business Proposal, RFP L.8.8.5, Page 35, Tab 5 – Financial Capability

Question: If required, should team members’ financial statements be included in Volume I – Business Proposal or in Volume VIII – Cost/Price?

Government Response: See Question 33 response.

Question 35.

Reference Cost/Price, RFP L.8.8.5, Page 35, Tab 7 – Compensation Plan

Question: Please clarify if “all specialties” referenced here refers to all labor categories listed on the cost/price sheet or to the professional groupings of physicians, nurses, clinical investigators/researchers, and ancillary personnel?

Government Response: All specialties refers to only the labor categories listed on the cost/price sheet.

Question 36.

Reference Cost/Price, RFP L.8.8.5, Page 35, Tab 7 – Compensation Plan

Question: Is compensation plan information required for only the prime contractor, or for the entire team? If required for the entire team, can subcontractors submit their compensation information directly to the Government in a sealed cost package?

Government Response: Compensation plan information is required for the entire team and can be submitted directly to the Government in a sealed cost package.

Question 37.

Reference Cost/Price, RFP L.8.8.5, Page 35, Tab 8 – Cost and Supporting Information

Question: Is the intent for offerors to obtain DCAA review of their direct labor rates and other estimating inputs (e.g., escalation) before submitting their proposal, even if the offeror currently has indirect rates audited by DCAA and approved by cognizant agency (provisional for current year)? If yes, to what authority should offerors make the request to order the review?

Government Response: DCAA review of labor rates and other estimating inputs is not required if indirect rates have been audited and provisionally approved.

Question 38.

Reference Cost/Price, RFP Page 36, DFARS Clauses Incorporated by Reference

Question: 252.215-7009, Proposal Adequacy Checklist, is included in the RFP. Could the Government clarify where this information should be provided in the Cost/Price Volume?

Government Response: See clause also provided under separate cover. This should be provided in the Cost and Supporting Information portion of the Cost/Price Volume. This is excluded from the page count limitations.

Question 39.

Reference Cost/Price, Cost and Price Excel Template

Question: There are a few hidden rows in the “Cost and Pricing” tab including rows 13, 27, 33, 34, and 65. Rows 13 & 27 display error hours, while the other three rows show zero hours. Can the Government provide the required hours for these positions?

Government Response: See revised Excel sheet HT001426RE001 Rev 1 12 Jan 26.

Question 40.

Question: Can offerors add additional tabs to the provided cost/price template for a detailed cost build-up for labor rates?

Government Response: Offerors may add additional tabs for a detailed cost build-up.

Question 41.

Question: Is the “Analysis Summary,” tab intended solely for Government use, or is it expected to be completed by contractors as part of the submission? If contractors are required to complete it, please clarify what specific information should be provided in this tab.

Government Response: The Analysis Summary tab is intended solely for Government use.

Question 42.

Question: Can the Government confirm if the provided rates in the “Cost and Price” tab should be before fixed fee?

Government Response: Yes. Offerors’ proposed fixed fee should appear on Line 84 of the newly revised Excel sheet provided with amendment HT001426RE0010002.

Question 43.

Question: Please confirm if the Network Dissemination Coordinator – Europe position is located at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC), Germany?

Government Response: Yes, it is at the stated location.

Question 44.

Reference Cost/Price, PWS 1.12.6, Page 13, and Appendix I, Page 78-79, 25.

DISSEMINATION & IMPLEMENTATION SPECIALIST*

Question: Please clarify which is correct: PWS Section 1.12.6 specifies that a Bachelor’s degree in a field related to dissemination and implementation science is required, but Appendix I, 25: Dissemination & Implementation Specialist states that a Doctorate-level degree with a concentration in implementation science or a similar discipline is required.

Government Response: Updates have been made to address this inconsistency.

Question 45.

Reference Cost/Price, PWS 1.12.8, Page 13, and Appendix I, Page 69, 12. TBI SME (Scientist Physician, CPCR)

Please clarify which is correct: PWS Section 1.12 specifies minimum of 8-10 years, but Appendix I, 12: TBI SME (Scientist Physician, CPCR) states that 5-10 years of experience in healthcare research is required.

Government Response: Updates have been made to address this inconsistency.