USNCC RFP Questions and Answers 18 May.docx

USNCC Solicitation Questions and Answers 18 May 2020 @ 3:00PM EST **New questions are bolded** Q1: Am I reading it correctly that you only want associate degree programs?

A1: As per the RFP and PWS, we are looking for institutions that offer an associate degree OR provide undergraduate education in one of more of the following or similar subject areas: Computer Science, Cyber Security, Applied Engineering, Data Analytics/Statistics, Organizational Leadership, Business Administration, and Science. This does not exclude institutions that offer courses towards the attainment of other degrees.

Q2: I found 3 attachments on the website (RFP, PWS, and Self Certification) and can see that we should complete the self-certification form. Is there anything else that needs to be turned in?

A2: At this time, all that is required is the submission of the Self-Certification form.

Q3: I do not see where there is a place detailing required documents such as questions to respond to in a narrative format. Does that exist?

A3: That does not exist at this stage. That will take place when we compete specific task orders in the future.

Q4: Is the deadline May 28, 2020?

A4: Submission deadline is May 28, 2020 at 3:30PM EST.

Q5: If we are applying as a community college system in partnership with one of our colleges do we both complete the required forms? We do not offer the degrees but our college does so should they complete the form?

A5: Community College Systems should complete the form along with their college partners. Please leave a note in your email submission including all the colleges that are in partnership.

Q6: We participated in the onsite meeting earlier this year. Does this notice mean that we were accepted to move forward with this partnership, if we apply and meet the requirements?

A6: This notice nor participation in this year’s Industry Day constitute a partnership or obligation to partner in the future. A partnership will be represented with a contract award after submission of self-certification form and responsibility determination by the contracting office.

Q7: Per the RFP released yesterday, is self-certification the only input that is requested by you? Are we able to include a White Paper or briefing that demonstrates our deep experience not only as an acknowledged leader in distributed education, but as the Navy’s long-term partner in advanced learning technologies?

A7: At this time, the Self-Certification Form is the only input requested. Once the submission deadline closes and the contracting office has awarded contracts to all qualifying offerors, a pool of partner colleges and college systems will be formed. This pool will then be the only schools able to compete for specific task orders. At the task order level is where specific information and pricing will be requested and subsequently evaluated by the government to choose an awardee.

Q8: Is there a deadline for each step or an overall deadline?

A8: There is only one step for the current deadline of 28 May at 3:30PM EST. Once contract awards are distributed to qualified institutions, task orders will be issued for specific courses/tasks which will have their own deadlines for submission of proposals.

Q9: “Fixed term price” - Can you please explain this language in the contract opportunity section? Is this implying that the students would have a fixed term price that the school would have to maintain a continuous semester hour rate?

A9: There is no price submission requested with the current self-certification. If price submissions are required, it will be communicated on future task orders. Fixed price means the offeror would propose a price associated with the requirement, and if accepted in the form of task order award, the government would pay that price no matter what the actual costs to the offeror are.

Q10: Is there a contract associated to the requirement? If yes, can you kindly provide the incumbent contractor and incumbent contract number?

A10: This is a new requirement and there is no contract currently associated to this.

Q11: Is the completed and signed United States Naval Community College Potential Partners Self-Certification Form the only item required for submission prior to the May 28 deadline?

A11: Yes.

Q12: Should we provide detailed information supporting our responses recorded on the Self-Certification Form? If so, in what format should this be provided?

A12: No detailed information or supporting documentation is required.

Q13: Do we need to submit information verifying agreement to or compliance with the clauses referenced in pages 9-45 of the USNCC RFP document prior to the May 28 deadline?

A13: As long as your registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) database is accurate and up-to-date, nothing else is required.

Q14: Only institutions submitting self-certifications and passing through your qualification review will be included in the eligible pool of partner colleges. Is this for the pilot round only or do you expect that you will allow other campuses to participate as the USNCC develops?

A14: Colleges may be added throughout the life of the MAC IAW the following clause as included in the RFP: “ADDITION OF CONTRACTORS ADDITION OF CONTRACTORS (ON-RAMP AND OFF-RAMP DURING THE LIFE OF THE CONTRACT) (SEP 2015) - To maximize the anticipated cost, management and technical benefits derived from the competition of task orders issued under this Multiple Award, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, the Government intends to add additional prime contractors over the life of this contract in order to sustain a competitive environment at the task order level. The Government anticipates issuing an “on-ramp” solicitation for additional contract holders at the Contracting Officer’s discretion. The solicitation will be preceded by a “sources sought” synopsis to help the Contracting Officer determine if potential additional prime contractor sources exist. The Government reserves the right to issue the on-ramp solicitation on a set-aside basis, if warranted. It is anticipated the contracts resulting from the on-ramp solicitation will have an ordering period concurrent with the option ordering period under the initial contracts. The Government reserves the right to exclude contract holders from continued participation should they fail to adequately perform any aspects of their contracts or fail to actively participate in the task order competitions.”

Q15: Can you provide additional detail about science as a field?

A15: Any of the natural sciences, such as chemistry, physics, or biology.

Q16: Can the planned multi-college consortium include 2-year colleges only or is a 4-year partner required?

A16: There is no requirement for a 4-year partner.