Notice 2_RFI Responses_21Aug2024.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL FACILITIES ENGINEERING SYSTEMS COMMAND FAR EAST

PSC 473 BOX 13

FPO AP 96349

Notice No. 2 22 August 2024

CONTRACT N40084-24-Q-0015, ONLINE ENGLISH TRAINING FOR NAVFAC FE, JAPAN

NOTE: The following schedule is provided for INFORMATION ONLY. The RFP remains unchanged unless it is amended in writing on a Standard Form 30.

Request for Information Questions and Responses

12. Regarding 4. FAR PROVISION 52.229-11 AND FAR CLAUSE 52.229-12: Could you confirm that if the Offerer is a U.S. Corporation, the IRS form W-14 is not required when submitting the offer?

ANSWER: As stated in the Combined Solicitation/Synopsis, Offerors are encouraged to seek guidance from their own tax, legal, or accounting professionals for advice concerning the provision, clause, and the execution/submission of IRS Form W-14.

13. In Task 4 of attachment 2 Statement of Work, it states that "Maximum three (3) make-up lessons shall be provide per student in each training session." Would the make up session apply when a student misses a scheduled Group class, Private lesson, or either?

ANSWER: Make up sessions would be for either a group session or private session.

14. Is it required that the makeup lessons be taken during the business hours listed in the SOW or can the student decide to take them outside of those hours?

ANSWER: Make up sessions should be taken during the hours listed.

15. Is it required that the private lessons be taken during the business hours listed in the

SOW?

ANSWER: Yes. One-on-one sessions shall be during the business hours listed.

16. What is the estimated Contract Award Date?

ANSWER: All information required by regulations is available in SAM.gov.

17. Is there an estimated training start date?

ANSWER: Once the contract is awarded, please follow the tasks listed in TASKS/SERVICES section of the PWS.

Notice No. 1

18. "In attachment 2, Statement of Work, point 1 ""Genral Requirements"" it states ""The class shall be conducted between 08:00-16:00 in local time (Japanese Standard Time) on Government’s regular work days."" however in point 6 ""Scope of Work"" it states ""Each class shall be provided from Tuesday to Friday, between the hours of 0800 – 1800 (Japan Standard Time Zone)."" Could you clarify which timeframe is to be used- up until 1600 or 1800?"

ANSWER: Course hours should state between 0800 - 1800 (JST). Please refer a forthcoming Amendment 0003.

19. Attachment 2 Statement of Work, Item 5, Page 3 Base Period. Could you please clarify "provide two (2) training sessions". Will these two sessions, or courses, be occurring simultaneously? Or will the second training session begin after the first 6-month training session concludes?

ANSWER: Each session shall not overlap. It should be consecutive sessions. The registration period only of the upcoming session may overlap with the current session. Please refer a forthcoming Amendment 0003.

20. Attachment 1 Pricing Schedule, Page 1. We understand that group sizes will be limited to four (4) students. For the purposes of this offering, could you please confirm how many groups we should quote for evaluation purposes? The pricing schedule only allows a single price for the session and this could change if more groups are required.

ANSWER: The number of training/class hours are correct. The number of classes will be vary depending on students' placement results. Please submit your quote accordingly.

21. Attachment 1 Pricing Schedule, Page 1. The Base Period includes two (2) training sessions while all option periods are for one (1) training session. Could you please confirm that you are requesting one price for both training sessions in the Base Period, rather than a price per training session?

ANSWER: Please refer Amendment 0001, item #5. Base Period = 2 sessions, Option Period 1 = 1 session, Option Period 2-4 = 2 sessions. Total # of sessions = 9 sessions.

22. Notice 1, Question 9 Answer. Can you please provide Amendment 0001? It is not available on the SAM.gov solicitation.

ANSWER: As stated in SAM.gov, the Amendment has been available on PIEE solicitation module. All amendment documents will be posted on SAM.gov with this Notice.

23. Attachment 1: Performance Work Statement, Section 6 states that the maximum number of students in each training session is 100. Task 4 indicates the contractor shall provide 50 hours online English tutoring with a total of 40 hours of group lesson and a total 10 hours of one-on-one for each student. Task 4 also states that group lessons are up to 4 students. If there are 100 students, does that mean there will be 25 group sessions of 40 hours each and one-on-one tutoring of 1,000 hours?

ANSWER: The number of training/class hours are correct. The number of classes will be vary depending on students' placement results. Please submit your quote accordingly.

24. "ATTACHMENT 1: CLIN, TERM AND OPTION PERIOD

the Contractor shall provide two (2) training sessions. (Preclass preparation and coordination and class instruction including but not limited to providing placement test,total 50 hours of lectures for beginner, intermediate, and advanced level classes, end of course test, and after action report)

: Please clarify the instruction hours. Is it 50 hours for all beginner, intermediate, and advanced level classes combined or 50 hours for each level of class? Additionally, is it 50 hours per training session or 50 hours for both session? "

ANSWER: 50 hours for each student / level of class. Each student shall be placed in a class level based on their assessment. Each student should receive 50 hours of training per session.

25. "ATTACHMENT 1: CLIN, TERM AND OPTION PERIOD

The POP for CLIN0005 is set to 12 months after the expiration of CLIN0003. Shouldn't it be 12 months after the expiration of CLIN0004?"

ANSWER: Please refer a forthcoming Amendment 0003.

26. "ATTACHMENT 1: Task 4. Conduct 50 hours online English Training on online, virtual platform Total 40 hours of group lesson and total 10 hours of one-on-one lesson shall be provided to each student in each training session.

: Is 10 hours for all students combined or 10 hours per student? "

ANSWER: It is 10 hours of one-on-one lesson per student.

27. "ATTACHMENT 1: Task 4. Conduct 50 hours online English Training on online, virtual platform Make-up Lessons: Maximum three (3) make-up lessons shall be provide per student in each training session.

: Does the three(3) make-up lessons per student in each training session will be included in total of 50 hours?"

ANSWER: In addition to scheduled 40 hours of group lesson and 10 hours of one-on-one lesson, a maximum of three (3) make up lessons shall be provided per student in each training session.

28. "Combined Synopsis/Solicitation: 4. FAR PROVISION 52.229-11 AND FAR CLAUSE 52.229-12 : If the offeror is a U.S. corporation owned by a U.S. citizen, does it still need to complete and file IRS Form W-14 to be exempt from the 2% excise tax?"

ANSWER: Please refer the response to the question #12.

29. "Combined Synopsis/Solicitation: 252.204-7024 NOTICE ON THE USE OF THE

SUPPLIER PERFORMANCE RISK SYSTEM (MAR 2023)

: Are there any additional actions an offeror must take beyond entering their self-assessment score in SPRS?"

ANSWER: Please refer the clause 252.204-7024(d).

30. What would be the cancellation & make-up policy for each group class?

ANSWER: Please refer a forthcoming Amendment 0003.

31. Can we know what systems or technology will be used in combination with online session delivery tools to understand any need for harmonization of tech to operate within that context?

ANSWER: Most browser-based platforms work on Government computers.

32. Are all learners Japanese individuals that work with the US Navy?

ANSWER: This training is for NAVFAC Far East’s employees in Japan and Korea.

33. Are they subject to US regulations or Japanese? Are they subject to US government and data privacy policies or are they Japanese nationals subject to Japanese regulations and policies?

ANSWER: Please follow the contract clauses included in this solicitation.

34. Will all lessons and assessment be completed online or will some part be done in person?

ANSWER: All lessons and assessments would be online.

35. "In the statement of work, there are references to a maximum of 100 learners per session and a maximum of 4 learners per session? Could you possibly clarifiy this part:

p. 4 Scope of work: Maximum number of students will be 100 students in each training session.

p. 5 Two group lessons per week (1 hour of instruction), and two one-on-one lesson per month (1 hour of instruction).

p. 5 Size of group lesson: up to four (4).

Does this mean large plenary instructional groups for lessons up to 100 or is it the size of the entire group, which will be broken down? It seems group lessons should be 4, with some one-on-one instructional options for people within those groups. Is that correct?"

ANSWER: Each session will be able to accommodate a total of 100 students. Each group will have a maximum of 4 students. The number of classes will be vary depending on students' placement results. Please submit your quote accordingly.

Each student should receive 50 hours of class lessons per session (40 hours in a group; 10 hours one-on-one lesson)

36. What is the total number of learners estimated? It appears to be 50 hours per learner over a session, with a mix of larger group lessons and one-on-one lessons.

ANSWER: The estimated number of students per session is 100 students. Yes, 50 hours of class instructions per student per session; 40 hours in a group (no larger than 4 students per instructor) plus 10 hours of one-on-one training/tutoring.