Attachment J.4 - ER Solicitation Clarification Questions and Answers.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 29 KB Posted
- Attached to
- FEDLINK Electronic Resources Services
- Solicitation number
- LCFDL23R0059
- Issued by
-
Library of Congress
About this file
This combined synopsis and solicitation requests proposals for multiple indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contracts to provide electronic resources services to the Library of Congress FEDLINK program. Offerors must propose products and services under Lot 1 for electronic databases and publications in order to be eligible for Lots 3 and 4, which cover associated publications and specialized access. Lot 2 involves document delivery services. Proposals are due by April 21, 2023 with contracts expected to have a period of performance from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2028. Offerors must complete the Standard Form 1449, pricing tables, technical and past performance questionnaires, and provide sample reports including customer usage data and sales reports. Pricing must be fixed for the base year with escalation rates for option years. The solicitation includes questions and answers to clarify requirements.
View the file
Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| LCFDL23R0059 Amendment 0004.pdf | ||
| LCFDL23R0059 Amendment 0003.pdf | ||
| Attachment J.4 - ER Solicitation Clarification Questions and Answers.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| LCFDL23R0059 Amendment 0002.docx | DOCX document | |
| LCFDL23R0059 Amendment 0002.pdf | ||
| LCFDL23R0059 Amendment 0001.pdf | ||
| LCFDL23R0059 Amendment 0001.docx | DOCX document | |
| Attachment J.2 - Past_Performance_Questionnaire.docx | DOCX document | |
| Attachment J.3 - Pricing Pages Template.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| LCFDL23R0059.pdf | ||
| Attachment J.1 - Monthly Sales Report.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet |
Show all 11
On GovTribe
Work with this file
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
Sheet1
| Section | Number | Question | Answer |
| A | 1 | Is there an incumbent for this contract? | Yes, see the Vendor Services Directory: https://www.loc.gov/flicc/contracts/vendorservicedirectory.html |
This solicitation is open to all current IDIQ holders and any other interested parties.
| A | 2 | If this is expected to be a MAC, what are the socio-economic goals and/or small business set-aside requirements? | See SF-1449, Page 1, Box 10. This acquisition is unrestricted. | ||
| A | 3 | Will this be a FOMC, SBSA and/or Socio-Economic SA? | See SF-1449, Page 1, Box 10. This acquisition is unrestricted. | ||
| B | 4 | Do we replace the table on page 5 with a completed J.3 attachment/FEDLINK Pricing Pages Template? | No, the information on page 5 is the base year and option year CLIN structure for the IDIQ. No information is required for that table. Offerors must complete Section J.3. | ||
| B | 5 | I have a current FEDLINK contract whose option year ends on 3/31/2024 or later, but the RFP has a start date of October 1, 2023. Will my current contract expire when the new award is issued? | Once proposals are received, the Government will evaluate and award new base year + 4 option year IDIQs in the order that the current IDIQs expire or are expected to reach their ceilings. The period of performance for IDIQs expiring on 9/30/23 is expected to be 10/1/2023 – 9/30/2028. The period of performance for IDIQs expiring after 10/1/2023 is expected to be Date of Award – 9/30/2028. Option years for current IDIQs that expire after 4/1/2024 are expected to be exercised as necessary until a new IDIQ is awarded. | ||
| B | 6 | Regarding the pricing spreadsheet/template, please confirm whether or not you want all pricing for base and option years in one tab or if you’d prefer pricing for base and option years provided in separate tabs. | Option year pricing may be in one tab or separate tabs. | ||
| B | 7 | Regarding the pricing spreadsheet/template, if vendors are not providing pricing for a specific Lot, should we remove it from the spreadsheet or make a note of it in the document? | Yes, please make a note of any pricing omissions in Attachment J.3, FEDLINK Pricing Pages Template. | ||
| B | 8 | Regarding the pricing spreadsheet/template, do you wish to have all offered items listed out individually for Lot 1? | Offerors are required to provide complete information in accordance with Section B Pricing Schedule Requirements and Section L.4.2. Pricing Proposal. | ||
| B | 9 | 2. | Pricing template. Please advise how to best provide our pricing that will yield over 1,000 rows of data for Lot 1. Is it acceptable to state the out year prices once if a fixed percentage will be used? | See Section B Pricing Schedule Requirements, Section L.4.2. Pricing Proposal, and Section H Addition of Products/Services. Contract Modifications, Addition of Products/Services, and/or Changes to Contract | |
| B | 10 | What is considered sufficient data in the following statement? “If an offeror’s pricing is based on customer specific pricing or packaged pricing, then offeror must provide a pricing mechanism or methodology with sufficient data for the Government to evaluate for price fair and reasonableness.” | Offerors must provide complete information in response to Section L.4.2. Pricing Proposal. | ||
| B | 11 | Does the pricing have to mirror the current user breakouts that are in place (see below), or can we submit what we feel is a best fit? | There is no requirement to mirror current user breakouts. Offerors are required to provide complete information in accordance with Section B Pricing Schedule Requirements and Section L.4.2. Pricing Proposal. | ||
| B | 12 | Can we expand the pricing template for numerous products? | Yes. Offerors are required to provide complete information in accordance with Section B Pricing Schedule Requirements and Section L.4.2. Pricing Proposal. | ||
| B | 13 | Can we separate option years into their own worksheets within the master template to avoid confusion? | Yes. Offerors are required to provide complete information in accordance with Section B Pricing Schedule Requirements and Section L.4.2. Pricing Proposal. | ||
| B | 14 | Is a full, comprehensive list of pricing for all institution types, possible collections, and possible user pools required (endless possibilities), or can base prices/examples and anticipated escalations based on increased user numbers be provided as a sufficient pricing explanation? | Offerors are required to provide complete information in accordance with Section B Pricing Schedule Requirements and Section L.4.2. Pricing Proposal. | ||
| B | 15 | Price Schedule Requirements page 7 of 46. | |||
| a. | Please define Tier 1; Tier 2; Tier 3 and Tier 4. | ||||
| b. | Please confirm that the THRESHHOLD is relevant to option years 2-5. | ||||
| c. | Please define ‘dollar-value threshold’. | According to Section B Pricing and Volume Discounts, Offerors are asked to offer sales-volume discounts when total spending through the FEDLINK contracts exceeds the dollar-value thresholds shown in the table. Sales against these thresholds must be based on the aggregate dollar value of all purchases made by federal agencies and entities, regardless of whether the spending occurs through the Transfer option or the Direct Express option or is made by transaction, subscription, or block. | |||
| B | 16 | How is the IDIQ maximum amount of the contract determined? | See Section B IDIQ Minimum/Maximum. The guaranteed minimum contract amount for each IDIQ contract is $3,000.00. The IDIQ maximum amount is determined based on a review of the vendor's historical total Transfer Pay and Direct Express orders issued under the vendor's current IDIQs. For new vendors, this is determined based on the maximums for technically similar or comparable products or services. | ||
| B | 17 | Page 6 states, “Rates proposed by the contractor must be equal or better to those offered to their top customers.” What defines “top customers?” | “Top customers” is defined as the customers to whom the Contractor is providing the lowest prices. | ||
| B | 18 | In Pricing and Volume Discounts: How does FEDLINK define 'prior year sales'? Is this considered pure new sales brought in under the FEDLINK contract, or does this also include current customers that will migrate to the FEDLINK contract? Also, is offering volume discounts and the associated rebates a requirement for this solicitation, or are these terms negotiable? | A prior year sale is the contractual ordering period from October 1 to September 30 of the IDIQ contract. The vendor is expected to fill out the third column of the table in Section B Pricing and Volume Discounts. Offerors are asked to offer sales-volume discounts when total spending through the FEDLINK contracts exceeds the dollar-value thresholds shown in the following table. | ||
| B | 19 | Can we adjust the periods of performance in the solicitation to calendar years (January to December), instead of October-September. | No, offerors must respond to the solicitation inclusive of the Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs) as stated. The offeror may not change the IDIQ periods of performance. However, offerors may align product pricing to calendar year basis with the period of performance of the IDIQ. | ||
| B | 20 | Can two contracts have the same products on it or must the vendor choose one contract to list a set of products? | Offerors must provide products and services in accordance with the following lots described in Section C.2. Scope: |
• Lot 1 – Electronic Databases/Publications
• Lot 2 – Document Delivery Services
• Lot 3 – Associated Publication
• Lot 4 – Specialized Access/Product Integration
It is not likely that two contracts will have the same offerings. See Section C.3. Requirements for more information on Lots and their definitions. All products and services provided under the Lots will be included under one IDIQ contract per vendor.
| B | 21 | Pricing and Volume Discounts - Is this required for Section B? | Offerors are asked to offer sales-volume discounts when total spending through the FEDLINK contracts exceeds the dollar-value thresholds shown in Section B Pricing and Volume Discounts. |
| B | 22 | What is the budgeted value of this contract? | See Section B, “IDIQ Minimum/Maximum:” The guaranteed minimum contract amount for each IDIQ contract is $500.00. The maximum cumulative amount that the Government may order and the contractor shall be required to supply is $200,000,000.00 for each contract awarded under this solicitation. |
| C | 23 | Can a vendor propose for a portion of Lot 1 services, or do we have to provide all of the services in Lot 1? | Yes, a vendor may propose for a portion of the Lot 1 services. |
| C | 24 | 1. | Page 10 section C3.1.1.(e)(2): The vendor is not able to cancel subscriptions and provide refunds. |
| In Subscription Cancellation and Refunds: Our agreement terms run for 52 week increments; Customers are permitted to submit a cancellation that would take effect at the end of the 52 week term, however we do not permit cancellations and refunds mid term. May we request an exception to be made to this clause that reflects the above? | In accordance with Section L.3, any exceptions, assumptions, or conditions to the provisions in the solicitation must be included as separate Appendices. | |||
| C | 25 | P. 10 E-Metrics Usage Data & Required Fields: We are able to provide usage reporting, but it is presently not Counter compliant. Can we request an exception for this? Also, in terms of the usage data required fields, we are able to provide usage data such as an account user list, usage sessions, number of activations and overall number of page views. ... Please confirm if the above level of usage data detail is acceptable? | In accordance with Section L.3, any exceptions, assumptions, or conditions to the provisions in the solicitation must be included as separate Appendices. | |
| C | 26 | For Lot 1 (a) Electronic Resource Databases is the contractor required to procure additional e-resource databases other than Library’s own e-resource database? | Section C.3.1. Lot 1 - Electronic Database/Publications states that Lot 1 is the core of this contract. It covers publishers and Contractors who provide access to commercial off-the-shelf electronic materials in many publication formats | |
| C | 27 | Can the contractor offer a solution merging (a) Electronic Resources Databases and (c) Federated and Content Integration Services under Lot 1? | Sections C.3.1(a) Electronic Resources Databases and C.3.1(c) Federated and Content Integration Services are included in Lot 1 services for Electronic Databases/Publications. | |
| C | 28 | Through FedLink, will enterprise clients be able to utilize more secure methods of electronic access at the organizational level, such as Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) and other methods of Single-Sign On? | This may be determined at the order level on a customer-specific basis and dependent on the individual agency’s security and authentication requirements. | |
| C | 29 | Will FEDLINK define Commercial Off-the-shelf Electronic Media? Does the term, 'Commercial,' abide by the FAR? | Yes, the term, “Commercial” is in accordance with FAR 2.101. See: https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-2#FAR_2_101 | |
| C | 30 | In Section C.3.11 Support Requirements Clause (4) states that Contractors shall notify the Customer and FEDLINK via email that services are reaching an end date. What is the timing that this notification is required prior to termination? Would FEDLINK be willing to modify this requirement to customer notification only or remove it entirely/ | No, the Government requires that notification of approaching order term end date be sent to the Customer and FEDLINK. Timing of notification is at the discretion of the contractor. However, the contractor should be aware that the Procurement Action Lead Time for orders is 45 days for orders under $250,000, and 90 days for orders over $250,000. The PALT begins once funding has been received by FEDLINK. The customer will need additional time to procure the funding from their agency and process their registration with FEDLINK. | |
| C | 31 | Regarding Section C.3.1.1(e)(2), please confirm this section only applies to Subscriptions for services only (and does not include Subscriptions for products). | Section C.3.1.1(e)(2) Subscriptions. states that subscriptions may be offered for electronic resources services, electronic books, and electronic serials as well as for other electronic media. Contractors must describe subscriptions in terms of four elements: what, for whom (i.e. agency, individuals), how much and for how long. |
See the definitions of these products and services in Section C.3.1. Lot 1 Electronic Databases/Publications.
| C | 32 | Within our searching tool’s framework, we can grant access to various, more search specific modules. Is access to the various modules something we should be including in our proposal? | Yes, access to various search specific modules may be included within the Lot specified such as Section C.3.1. Lot 1 Electronic Databases/Publications or C.3.2. Lot 2 Document Delivery Services. |
| C | 33 | Among the Lot 4 categories that are allowed, could research services be allowed? | See Section C.3.4 Lot 4 Specialized Access/Product Integration. Contractors may provide database searching, translations, training, analysis, research, and other professional assistance associated with the electronic resources they offer. |
In accordance with Section L.5.1 VOLUME II – TECHNICAL AND MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL, contractors should describe the proposed Lot 4 services as they relate to the electronic resource offered under Lot 1 and/or Lot 2.
| C | 34 | Are there any required Minimum Certs/Quals? i.e. ISO, CMMI, CMMC, FedRAMP, etc. | All technical requirements are stated in Section C of the solicitation. |
| F | 35 | Will work be conducted on-site, remote or Hybrid? | See Section F LC52-215-5 Place and Period of Performance (JAN 2019)(DEVIATION). |
Place of Performance: The place of delivery shall be indicated in each task order. All deliveries will be made to the agency as specified in each task order.
| G | 36 | On line 3 of the first paragraph, there is reference to “FEDLINK Quarterly Sales Reports.” Please clarify if this should be “FEDLINK Monthly Sales Reports.” | See Section H Monthly Reporting Requirements. Section G.6. Contact for Contract Administration has been updated from "FEDLINK Quarterly Sales Reports" to "Monthly Sales Reports." |
| G | 37 | Contact for Contract Administration states that the contract administrator is also the responsible official for issues concerning the Fedlink Quarterly Sales reports, however, G.2.3. (a) states that Sales Reports are to be submitted monthly. Will Fedlink please clarify or correct? | See Section H Monthly Reporting Requirements. Section G.6. Contact for Contract Administration has been updated from "FEDLINK Quarterly Sales Reports" to "Monthly Sales Reports." |
| G | 38 | For the monthly sales report, FEDLINK is requesting Agency POC, POC email, POC phone and FEDLINK ID. |
| a. When an order is received from an agency customer, a POC email, POC phone number are not always provided? Please advise how you would like these fields to be completed in these situations. | See the amendment to Section H Monthly Reporting Requirements. | |||
| G | 39 | Also, the FEDLINK ID is not always identified (specifically Direct Express). | The FEDLINK ID is required for Transfer Pay orders. | |
| G | 40 | What is FEDLINK looking for in the Delivery/PO NTE Total? It does not appear to be stated on most POs. | See Section G.2.3.(a) Monthly Report to LC/FEDLINK and Section H Monthly Reporting Requirements. | |
| G | 41 | What is the definition of the “Order Date”? | See Section G.2.3.(a) Monthly Report to LC/FEDLINK and Section H Monthly Reporting Requirements. | |
| G | 42 | What is the definition of the “FEDLINK Order #”? | See Section G.2.3.(a) Monthly Report to LC/FEDLINK and Section H Monthly Reporting Requirements. | |
| G | 43 | Are the Product Codes for the Pricing Pages Template referring to our internal Product Codes, or Product Codes specific to FEDLINK? If we do not have internal product codes, will a product description suffice? | The product code is the internal code that identifies the product or service being provided to FEDLINK and its members. The Product Code does not need to be specific to FEDLINK. If you do not have internal product codes, a product description will suffice. | |
| G | 44 | Current vendors are required to report a Fiscal Year Cumulative Total for both Direct Express and Transfer Pay. The Cumulative total is updated each month. Does this information satisfy the IDIQ Burn Rate requirement? | No. The monthly Fiscal Year Cumulative Total only addresses the current year. The IDIQ Burn Rate addresses the cumulative total for the full term of the contract. Section J.1.3. must include a list of all Transfer Pay and Direct Express orders and their order amount for the IDIQ term to date. | |
| G | 45 | Is FEDLINK willing to provide a proposal extension? | The solicitation shall be extended from 04/21/2023 to 09:00 ET to 05/05/2023 09:00 ET. | |
| G | 46 | G.2.1 Direct Express states that contractor must obtain approval from FEDLINK to sign an order or begin a service if the award exceeds $1M. If the award contains option year pricing, is one approval acceptable to cover all options or is FEDLINK stating that Contractor is required to request approval for each year? | Vendors should request approval for the total value of the Direct Express order, inclusive of option year pricing. The approval will cover the total requested value of the Direct Express order. As long as the value of the order does not exceed the approved amount, the Contractor is not required to request approvals for each option year. | |
| G | 47 | How can we add more than one contact for contract administration? | Yes, offerors may provide multiple points-of-contact in Section G.6 Contact for Contract Administration. | |
| G | 48 | G.3.2. 3(d) states a requirement to mark invoice as final. Fees are paid in advance so all invoices would be a final invoice. Since Fedlink uses IPP.gov, is FEDLINK willing to utilize the "Final" checkbox in IPP.gov as a solution or removed as Contractor does not have an automated process to fulfill these requirements? | Yes, invoices marked as "final" in IPP.gov are considered sufficient and acceptable. | |
| G | 49 | (page 18-3d Final Invoice Identification)-Can this requirement be removed from the solicitation? Contractor does not have an automated process to carry out this function. | Invoices marked as "final" in IPP.gov are considered sufficient and acceptable. | |
| G | 50 | G.3.3 (a) (1) states that Name and address of the Contractor official to whom payment is to be sent via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)(will be the same as designated in the Contract). Will Fedlink please clarify this requirement? Does a team/department name meet this requirement? There is not a specific person that should be named as receiving EFT or any payments. | See Section G.3.5(d) FAR 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer – System for Award Management (Jul 2013). In accordance with the Debt |
Collection Improvement Act, all FEDLINK payments to Contractors will be made via electronic funds transfer (EFT). The Contractor shall complete the “Contractor Survey Form” to provide the information necessary to transmit payments to the Contractor’s financial institution. Payment will be considered as being made on the effective date of the EFT.
| G | 51 | G.1.3 CORRESPONDENCE WITH LC/FEDLINK CUSTOMERS. Does G.1.3. limit correspondence to marketing or new product announcements or would it include communications with Vendor’s current FEDLINK customers regarding current subscriptions and products? | See Section H Publicizing Product Offerings. The Contractor shall promote this contract to all Federal customers during the life of the contract. The Contractor’s goals in this effort will be to: (a) make customers aware of the LC/FEDLINK procurement vehicle; (b) make customers aware of the Contractor’s products and services available through this contract; and c) assist Customers in creating timely and accurate orders under this contract. The Contractor may use the FEDLINK logo for this purpose in accordance with the provisions of LC52.203-1 CONTRACTOR PUBLICITY (OCT 2013). |
| H | 52 | Given the award date is at least 4-5 months after the RFP due date and may extend into 2024, would the Government consider allowing vendors to update or revise (both to increase and decrease) their pricing submission later in the year? Vendors often change or update their commercial list pricing later in the calendar year. Additionally, as FEDLINK pricing is linked to this commercial list, this flexibility will better provide vendors the ability to provide the best possible pricing to FEDLINK members. |
| This seems like it should be a no, but it’s likely that vendors will submit a proposal now that won’t be awarded until after 1/1/24 when new pricing would be in place… But we can’t have a free-for-all… | No, see Section H Addition of Products/Services. Contract Modifications, Addition of Products/Services, and/or Changes to Contract. For the life of the contract, the Contractor shall offer no products/services other than those specified herein unless specific application is made to LC/FEDLINK Contracts to modify this contract to incorporate additional products/services. Any new products/services or changes which are approved by the LC/ FEDLINK Contracting Officer will be officially added to the contract by modification. Requests for approval to modify the contract will be sent via email to: the CO, the CS, the COR, fedlinkir@loc.gov, and fedlinkcontracts@loc.gov. The contractor must provide an updated price schedule (via Attachment J.3) anytime of updates, additions, or changes. The contractor must annotate any changes and highlight them in the updated schedule. As part of this revised submission, the contractor is required to certify that all non-annotated and non-highlighted pricing and products remain unchanged. Proposed pricing must be in line with IDIQ pricing. If the proposed pricing is subject to change, the contractor must provide a written rationale to justify this change. | |||
| H | 53 | If we need to change any contact mid-contract, how do we do it? | The vendor may request a modification to update contact information by reaching out to the Contracting Officer and the Contract Specialist. | |
| H | 54 | Will we be able to attach to the solicitation our contractual terms and conditions for clients to agree to? | See Section H Licenses and Agreements and Applicability of 36 CFR Section 701.7. | |
| H | 55 | Can we attach our own terms regarding to IP protection in our proposal or is that negotiable at the agency level? | See Section H Licenses and Agreements and Applicability of 36 CFR Section 701.7. |
The Library of Congress does not agree to any limitations on its rights (e.g., fair use, reproduction, interlibrary loan, and archiving) under the copyright laws of the United States ( 17 U.S.C. 101et seq.), and related intellectual property rights under foreign law, international law, treaties, conventions, and other international agreements.
| H | 56 | Is this just a notice to open up opportunities for any new FEDLINK vendors? | Solicitation Number LCFDL23R0059 is open to all vendors, inclusive of current IDIQ holders, who interested in an IDIQ award for the 2023 to 2028 ordering period. Additionally, Section B LC52.216-3 Contract Type (JUN 2016)(DEVIATION) states the Library of Congress (Library) has a requirement for multiple indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts. |
| H | 57 | I can’t download the attachments to the solicitation. Can FEDLINK provide copies by email | Please contact the SAM.gov Federal Service Desk: https://www.fsd.gov/ for technical assistance. |
| H | 58 | Do vendors have direct relationships with the agency purchasing the service, or is everything filtered FEDLINK? | See Section G.2.1.(a) Transfer Pay and Section G.2.1.(b) Direct Express. |
| H | 59 | To what level does FEDLINK promote their vendors? | See Section H Publicizing Product Offerings. LC/FEDLINK will inform Customers about the products/services available under the program. Currently, the LC/FEDLINK web site (www.loc.gov/flicc) has a section devoted to products/services available through FEDLINK. The section includes brief descriptions of the products and services offered by LC/FEDLINK contractors, Contractor contact information, and active links to Contractor email and websites. The Contractor is invited to submit its contact and link information for inclusion in this web-based FEDLINK products/services catalog. Contractors may participate in FEDLINK biannual expo and Contractor meetings. |
| H | 60 | Is there a specific point-of-contact for the operations of the FEDLINK Marketplace that vendors can engage with? | See Section H Publicizing Product Offerings. Please contact fliccfno@loc.gov for requests for the FEDLINK Marketplace. |
| H | 61 | What percentage of FEDLINK sales are Transfer Pay vs. Direct Express? | The percentage of FEDLINK sales that are Transfer Pay vs. Direct Express varies widely and is dependent on the vendor's products and offerings. However, Contractors are required to provide this information in accordance with Section H Monthly Reporting Requirements. |
| I | 62 | Does the new award’s terms and conditions supersede previous contract awards through FedLink? If so, how do vendors settle invoices prior to the award date? | The current terms and conditions, inclusive of invoicing instructions against orders issued under a vendor's existing Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, remain unchanged. |
| I | 63 | For contractors with a current FEDLINK contract that have unexercised Option Periods under the contract, does LOC intend to award the new FEDLINK contract effective 01 October 2023? | Once proposals are received, the Government will evaluate and award new base year + 4 option year IDIQs in the order that the current IDIQs expire or are expected to reach their ceilings. The period of performance for IDIQs expiring on 9/30/23 is expected to be 10/1/2023 – 9/30/2028. The period of performance for IDIQs expiring after 10/1/2023 is expected to be Date of Award – 9/30/2028. Option years for current IDIQs that expire after 4/1/2024 are expected to be exercised as necessary until a new IDIQ is awarded. |
| I | 64 | If so, will the current FEDLINK contract remain active for only those existing Delivery Orders with Option Periods issued under the contract, until such time the Customer Agencies make the determination to exercise the Option Periods? | FEDLINK intends to award multiple IDIQ contracts for Electronic Resources with periods of performance beginning October 1, 2023 and later. Some Direct Express orders may have option years beyond the term of the current IDIQ. Vendors must coordinate this information directly with the Direct Express ordering agency. |
| I | 65 | My current FEDLINK IDIQ expires on March 31, 2024. Do I have to propose now for the new contract? Can we submit our response later in the year? | Vendors that currently have a FEDLINK IDIQ that ends 4/1/24 or later are required to submit a proposal under LCFDL23R0059 in order to be considered for a new IDIQ after the IDIQ period of performance expires. Responses received after the proposal deadline indicated in the solicitation will not be accepted. |
| I | 66 | In Document Number: LCFDL23R0059, Sections 52.212-5 (b) and (c) and 52.204-8 (c) (2), the Contracting Officer would check FARs as appropriate. Would this be done one time by FEDLINK or would this be filled out differently for individual agencies purchasing the service? | The terms and conditions as stated in FAR 52.212-5 apply to all orders issued under the FEDLINK IDIQ contract. FAR 52.204-8 is a provision and applies at the time of solicitation prior to award. |
| I | 67 | How can we monitor updates on the solicitation and award process? | Interested offerors may select the "Follow" icon where the solicitation is posted on SAM.gov. Additionally, all updates will be posted toL https://sam.gov/opp/0eaf365da48c44dd93716c1c0152c848/view. |
| I | 68 | Pages 27-38, Section I, Contract Clauses |
52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference, DFARS Clauses Incorporated by Reference: We note that several of the listed DFARS appear to be outdated. More specifically:
Page 28, 252.225-7001 Buy American and Balance of Payments Program – Basic (Dec 2022): Under the current DFARS, 252.225-7001 has been updated (Jan 2023). Please clarify if the updated version is applicable.
Page 28, 252.225-7021 Trade Agreements – Basic (Dec 2022). Under the current DFARS, 252.225-7021 has been updated (Jan 2023). Please clarify if the updated version is applicable.
Page 28, 252.225-7050 Disclosure of Ownership or Control by the Government of a County that is a State Sponsor of Terrorism (Jun 2005). Under the current DFARS, 252.225-7050 has been updated (Dec 2022). Please clarify if the updated version is applicable.
Page 28, 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Dec 2022):
Under the current FAR, 52.212-5 has been updated (MAR 2023). Please clarify if the updated version is applicable.
There are no clauses checked. Please clarify the required clauses or confirm that none of the clauses are applicable.
Page 37, 52.204-8 Annual Representations and Certifications (Dec 2022) (page 37). Under the current FAR, 52.204-8 has been updated (MAR 2023). Please clarify if the updated version is applicable. See the amendment to Section I Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Clauses Incorporated by Reference. Additionally, the most recent provision for FAR 52.204-8 Annual Representations and Certifications (Mar 2023) and other FAR provisions and clauses apply to this solicitation.
See: https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_204_8
| J | 69 | Attachment J.3 Pricing Template - Is this the required format or can contractor modify it so long as it has the required details as in previous versions? | Offerors are required to provide complete information in accordance with Section B Pricing Schedule Requirements and Section L.4.2. Pricing Proposal. |
| J | 70 | Can we alter the pricing template (attachment J.3) to fit in tiers as we have done in past solicitations? | Yes. Offerors are required to provide complete information in accordance with Section B Pricing Schedule Requirements and Section L.4.2. Pricing Proposal. |
| J | 71 | Does FEDLINK require vendors supply their GSA MAS pricing for Attachment 3? | Offerors are required to provide complete information in accordance with Section B Pricing Schedule Requirements and Section L.4.2. Pricing Proposal. |
Contract Line Item Numbers (CLIN). CLINs are established in Section B as a summary for commercial and FEDLINK pricing for all categories of products and services described in the Lots of this solicitation.
Discount from Commercial Pricing. Include with each price an indication of the percent discount from commercial rates represented by your offer. If possible, provide the overall discount off commercial rates represented by the offer. Include copies of your commercial price lists.
| J | 72 | 1. In the Attachment J.3 - Pricing Pages Template, the Lot is filled in as C.3.1, C.3.2, C.3.3, etc. Are these numbers meant to coincide with the Lot 1 - 4 descriptions in the solicitation, or do they remain the same as what is already entered for each services identified in the template? | Yes, this is the reference to the lots described in Section C of the solicitation. |
| K | 73 | Do completed representations and certifications count against proposal page limits? | No, information submitted in response to FAR provision 52.204-8 Annual Representations and Certifications (Dec 2022) in Section K do not count against the proposal page limits. |
| K | 74 | Please clarify in which proposal volume vendors should include completed representations and certifications. | Completed representations and certifications should be included in Volume I – Contract Data and Price Proposal. |
| L | 75 | Section L.3. Proposal Instructions limits Volume II-Technical and Management Proposal to 15 pages. Would it be possible to increase the page limit? | No, the page limitation for solicitation responses shall remain unchanged. See Section L.3 Proposal Instructions in the solicitation. The required page limit of Volume II (Technical and Management Proposal) is 15 pages. The Government reserves the right to disregard pages beyond the page-limitation. |
| L | 76 | Are the cover page and table of contents excluded from the page limit? | Yes, the cover page and table of contents are excluded from the page limit. |
L 77 Does the Volume II page limit include only responses to the SOW to describe the products/services and processes for delivering the services and managing the contract? Yes, see Section L.3 Proposal Instructions. Arrange your proposal into two separate volumes:
• Volume I – Contract Data and Price Proposal
• Volume II – Technical and Management Proposal
| L | 78 | Please confirm that “standard commercial materials,” which are exempt from the proposal page limitations, may include standard licensing agreements, Terms & Conditions, and other related materials. | Yes, see Section L.3 Proposal Instructions. Required sample materials (see L.5.4.), standard commercial materials, and any exceptions, assumptions, or conditions to the provisions in the solicitation must be included as separate Appendices. The Appendices will not be counted against any page limit requirement. |
| L | 79 | Section L.3. states, “Do not submit web-links.” Does this include the pricing spreadsheet? | Yes, see Section L.3 Proposal Instructions. Offerors must not submit web-links for pricing spreadsheets. |
| L | 80 | Section L1 indicates only electronic submissions will be accepted. L.3 states that "Each volume must contain the information required below. Compile and submit one original and one copy of each proposal volume. An electronic copy must also be submitted to fedlinkcontracts@loc.gov." Would Fedlink please confirm that Contractor is only required to submit one electronic copy? | See Section L.1. Proposal Instructions. All proposals must be submitted as electronic files to the Contracting Officer Holly Le at heva@loc.gov, the Contract Specialist Elinda Deans Harris at ehar@loc.gov, and fedlinkcontracts@loc.gov no later than the date and time specified on the SF-1449, Page 1, Box 8. The subject line must include the solicitation number as stated on the SF-1449, Page 1, Box 5. Facsimile or hand carried (hard copy) proposals will not be considered or accepted for this solicitation. |
| L | 81 | Can you provide a Word version of LCFDL23R0059? | Yes, a Word version of LCFDL23R0059 will be provided for all offerors. |
| L | 82 | As stated on Page 23, "Note: For any updates to the pricing over the course of the contract, the Contractor must submit an entirely new price sheet incorporating the new pricing that clearly annotates any removals, additions, edits, and changes. The price sheet must include a column to indicate the source of the price (i.e., base, or modification 2, or modification 4, etc.). The Contractor may not increase pricing for goods/services that are priced in the base contract." |
| For offerors that cannot provide Firm-Fixed pricing beyond the base year, does the last sentence Indicate pricing In option years cannot exceed the yearly cap? | Offerors are required to provide complete information in accordance with Section B Pricing Schedule Requirements and Section L.4.2. Pricing Proposal. | |||
| L | 83 | Electronic Resource has varying determining factors such as number of users, institution type, size of selected collection, and does not support a 1-person base, how should the pricing information be formatted on the Attachment J.3 and the Standard Form 1449? | L.4.2. Pricing Pages. Contractor may use the FEDLINK Pricing Pages Template, an Excel spreadsheet, for submission or guidance (see Attachment J.3; described in Section B.2.1.). | |
| L | 84 | With GSA contracts, existing vendors are often exempt from certain steps for new contract bids where their existing contract information would be largely similar (if not identical) to the new one. Is this something that you would consider here? | No, offerors are required to submit a response in accordance with Section L Instructions to Offerors. | |
| L | 85 | While reviewing document LCFDL23R0059, there are terms that can be potentially problematic. Are any of these terms negotiable? | Offers may include this information in Volume I – Contract Data and Price Proposal for consideration. | |
| L | 86 | Is the “fill-in” information only referring to the Standard Form 1449, Certificate Of Independent Price Determination, and Annual Representations and Certifications? | Offerors are required to respond to all provisions stated in Section L Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors or Respondents. | |
| L | 87 | Is Section B Supplies or Services and Price/Costs meant to be filled out along with Standard Form 1449? | Offerors are required to respond to all provisions stated in Section L Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors or Respondents. | |
| L | 88 | Are the “Codes” on Standard Form 1449 for FEDLINK use only? | Yes, however, the offeror is still required to complete the information required in Box 17a. CONTRACTOR/ |
OFFEROR.
L 89 Will there be or has there been an Industry Day? If so, is there a copy of the presentation? FEDLINK will not be conducting an Industry Day for this solicitation.
FEDLINK vendors reach more federal information customers through FEDLINK than with any other single source. Access to this broad federal market, combined with expert account management and superior customer service, streamlines customer purchasing and billing and saves vendors time and money.
See: https://www.loc.gov/flicc/information/index_info.html
| L and M | 90 | Section L.5. Factor 3 - Past Performance states: “Offerors shall request that the agencies or institutions identified above complete and submit the past performance questionnaire found in Attachment J.2. of this solicitation. Technical Proposals shall include completed questionnaires by the due date listed in Section L.1.” Should reference agencies/institutions submit completed questionnaires directly to the Government? Or, should vendors submit completed questionnaires on references’ behalf as part of the vendor’s proposal package? | See the solicitation amendment to Section L Instructions to Offerors and Section M Evaluation Factors for Award. |
| L and M | 91 | Regarding Section L.5.3, in lieu of providing this information, please confirm providing a recent Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR) for 3 recent contracts for same or similar services is acceptable. | See the solicitation amendment to Section L Instructions to Offerors and Section M Evaluation Factors for Award. |
| L and M | 92 | Would FEDLINK be willing to accept orders or records contained in the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) in lieu of Attachment J.2 – Past Performance Questionnaire for References? |
| I’m looking at some of these attachments and don’t know if you’re looking for us to fill these out (Past Performance Questionnaire) or if these are just templates we need to continue using. | See the solicitation amendment to Section L Instructions to Offerors and Section M Evaluation Factors for Award. | |||
| M | 93 | Evaluation factor 4: sample materials require Customer E-Metric Usage Data and FEDLINK Monthly Sales Report. Can the contractor assume that this is a post award evaluation factor? | See Section M Factor 4 Sample Materials. The offeror’s proposal will be evaluated on whether it provides samples of all required materials and reports and includes all pertinent information required by the Government: The Customer’s E-Metrics Usage Data (as described in Section C.3.1.1. (Support Requirements) (f)), FEDLINK Sales Report, and the extent the sample reports demonstrate capability to report on transfer pay and direct Customer activity and show that the reporting procedures are established and can be considered standard operating procedure. | |
| M | 94 | Are you planning to create Vendor/Task/Functional Area Pools? | No, the Government intends to award multiple |
IDIQ contracts resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offerors whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. See Section M Evaluation Factors for Award.
M 95 Will there be a Phase 1 & Phase 2 evaluation? No, the Government intends to award multiple IDIQ contracts resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offerors whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. See Section M Evaluation Factors for Award.
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .