Amendment 1 to RFP NIHAO2010042.docx

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION / MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

PAGE OF PAGES

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO.

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

December 3, 2009

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO

5. PROJECT NO.

(If applicable)

6. ISSUED BY

National Institutes of Health, NIAID, AMOB

CODE

7. ADMINISTERED BY

10401 Fernwood Road, MSC 4813 Bethesda, MD 20817

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP code)

All Potential Offerors

|X|

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

NIHAO2010042

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

November 10, 2009

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

FACILITY CODE

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

|X| The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers |_| is extended |X| is not extended. Offerors must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods: (a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning 1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify Authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation data, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor |_| is not, |_| is required to sign this document and return 3 copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible)

The purpose of this amendment is to answer questions received by potential offerors.

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

16A NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

Terrie Nestor, Contracting Officer, AMOB, NIAID

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

15C. DATE SIGNED

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

16C. DATE SIGNED

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

PREVIOUS EDITION UNUSABLE

30-105

STANDARD FORM 30 (Rev. 10-83) Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

RFP Questions and Answers

1. Section L of the RFP requires a separate section in the Technical Proposal entitled “Information Security.” This includes the NIST SP 800 53 Self Assessment and a draft Information System Security Plan. These documents must be provided for both the prime and subcontractors, which will take up a significant portion of the Technical Proposal’s 40 page limit. Does the Information Security section of the Technical Proposal count against the 40 page limit?

The draft Information System Security Plan and NIST SP 800 53 Self Assessment requirements are hereby removed from the RFP.

1. Page 44 in Section L of the RFP state that vendors must demonstrate compliance with Section 508 standards. It goes on to state the “Section 508 standards applicable to this solicitation are identified in the Statement of Work.” There is no mention of EIT products or services in the Statement of Work (SOW) that will require Section 508 compliance. Do we need to include the HHS Section 508 Product Assessment Template in our proposal if there are no specific EIT products or services identified in the SOW?

It is the intent of the government to receive all contract and task order reporting requirements electronically. Therefore, all offerors need to be in full compliance with the Section 508 requirements.

1. For contractors working on-site at NIAID facilities, will Government-furnished property include desks and computers?

Task Orders that require on-site support at a government facility will provide the necessary equipment to complete the requirements of the task order.

1. Attachment 7 states that “Section L of the RFP specifies the minimum documentation requirements for small disadvantaged business utilization.” However, Section L does not address small disadvantaged business (SDB) utilization. Attachment 11 (Small Business Subcontracting Plan) does address this, but states that “A Subcontracting Plan is required if the estimated cost of the contract may exceed $550,000 (small businesses are excluded).” Since this is a small-business set-aside, does Attachment 11 need to be included in the Proposal? To meet the intent of Section 5 in Attachment 7 and to meet the Extent of Small Business Disadvantaged Business Participation evaluation criteria in Section M (Evaluation Factors for Award), can the offeror address the SDB participation in the proposal directly (without using Attachment 11)?

Attachment 11, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, is hereby removed from the RFP. In addition, Section M is amended to remove the SDB participation criterion.

1. Attachment 7 states “Section 5 – TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED UNDER SECTION L OF THE SOLICITATION” and lists “1) Extent of Small Disadvantaged Business Participation” and “2) Past Performance Data, including references.” Does this mean that all the additional requirements in Section L must fit under these two headings? If not, please clarify what “TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED UNDER SECTION L OF THE SOLICITATION” means.

No, not all of the requirements in Section L must fit under these two headings. This section is just requiring that these two items be give their own section in the Business Proposal. However, offerors are no longer required to discuss Small Disadvantaged Business Participation, so this section now only applies to past performance data.

1. As specified in Section 1 of Attachment 6 for the technical proposal, do the Proposal Title Page, Proposal Summary and Data Record (NIH-2042), and Table of Contents count against the 40 page limit?

The Proposal Summary and Data Record (NIH-2042) should now be included in only the Business Proposal.

The Table of Contents does count against the 40 page limit.

1. For the technical proposal, do Attachment 8 (Technical Cost Summary) and Attachment 9 (Summary of Related Activities) count against the 40 page limit?

Yes, both documents will count against the 40 page limit.

1. To assist in ensuring that Contract Performance RFP Customer Survey (RFP Attachment 4) are sent to the government by the required deadline date, could the government please provide a MS Word version of Attachment 4?

A MS Word version of Attachment 4 is included with this document.

1. Can the government please clarify as to whether this contract will include the requirement to operate a clinic to include having the proper insurances and protections in place?

The successful contractor will not have to operate a clinic, but may need to provide personnel in a clinical setting. For that reason, a limited number of task orders may require the provision of medical malpractice insurance.

1. The RFP references (p. 31) at Part I.6, FAR Clause 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965 (November 2007) and FAR Clause 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 1989) where three (3) positions are listed to which the Service Act would apply. We understand that these are the positions that would fall under the Service Act provisions. We would like to receive confirmation that these are the only labor classes for which the wage determination provisions would apply.

Yes, those are the only labor categories for which the Service Contract Act is applicable.

1. Will space be made available to the contractor for an on-site program management office?

No.

1. Please confirm that Representations and Certifications are required for each subcontractor.

Reps and Certs are required for the Prime contract and each subcontract.

1. Please confirm that the only pricing for labor categories listed in Attachment 3, Statement of Work, is submitted in the format identified as Attachment 12, Breakdown of Proposed Estimated Costs.

Offerors should follow the directions in Attachment 7, Additional Business Proposal Instructions, and the directions provided in Section L for completion of their cost proposal. All offerors must submit a complete listing of proposed labor rates for each labor category in the statement of work, as well as a CPFF proposal utilizing the spreadsheets provided in Attachment 12 where appropriate. The cost-plus-fixed-fee proposal should include a proposed minimum and maximum dollar value based on the minimum and maximum hours provided in the SOW.

1. Please confirm that the maximum hours identified in Attachment 3 should be used to develop Attachment 8, Summary of Labor and Direct costs and Attachment 12, Breakdown of Proposed Estimated Costs.

Please see response to question 14.

1. It is unclear from the RFP whether all staff are intended to work at the government site or if some work may be completed at the contractors site. Please clarify as to work locations.

It is anticipated that the majority of task orders will require on-site contract support at various government installations. In addition, as stated in the RFP, there may be some task orders to work at leased laboratory facilities.

1. If the government is agreeable to having some work completed at the contractor’s site, would the government entertain the possibility of accepting two labor rates, one for staff at the government site and one for work at the contractor’s site?

No, all offerors should propose labor rates based on the assumption that the positions will be located at a government site.

1. Does the government have any specific positions which shall be required to be listed as key personnel?

No, at this time there are no specific positions that are required to be key personnel. Individual task orders may require a position to be identified as key personnel, but this would be indicated on those task orders.

1. Does the government intend to require the contractor to add staff as key personnel as implied in Section G.2?

Offerors are not required to add staff as key personnel. However, offerors may propose key personnel where they feel it is appropriate.

1. Does the government intend for this to be a single IDIQ award or does the government anticipate multiple IDIQ awards with competition between the awardees for individual task order awards?

A single award is anticipated.

1. Does the government require resumes for all labor categories or does the government only require resumes for the 8 labor categories listed in Attachment 6?

As stated in Attachment 6, Additional Technical Proposal Instructions, offerors should only submit sample resumes for the 8 labor categories/positions identified in Section 3. In addition, offerors should submit any documentation that is deemed appropriate in order to demonstrate the appropriateness of proposed management personnel.

1. Are the required resumes included in the 40 page limit for the technical proposal?

As stated in Attachment 6, resumes are not included within the 40 page limit.

1. Re: Past Performance: The RFP requirement indicates bidders should submit 6 past performance examples. Does this mean 6 for the Prime and 6 for any sub(s); or a total of 6 to include the Prime Small Business Contractor and any sub(s)?

Offerors must submit six past performance examples for the prime contract and two past performance examples for each major subcontractor that is proposed. A major subcontract is defined as providing 25% of the work.

In addition, offerors must submit five Contract Performance Customer Surveys for the proposed prime contract and two surveys for each major subcontractor proposed.

1. Is the Contractor required to carry medical malpractice insurance for M.D.s or physicians?

Please see response to question 9.

1. Attachment 3, page 12: What is meant by “contractor leased space in Washington DC Metro area” as a place of performance? Is the contractor expected to provide laboratory space or just office space if needed?

A limited number of task orders may require that the contractor perform on a site that is being leased by another contractor, on behalf of the government. The successful contractor for this requirement will not be expected to provide any laboratory space.

1. RFP Section M requires the contractor provide a time-phased (e.g. monthly, quarterly, etc) breakdown of labor hours, rates, and cost by appropriate category, and furnish bases for estimates. As the government anticipates the award of an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Task Order vehicle, how is the Contractor to provide a time-phased breakdown of labor hours by appropriate category and furnish bases of estimate? How does the Government anticipate the Contractor build a time-phased breakdown of labor? Will the breakdown require the Contractor to provide a Schedule, or was it the intent of the Government that the Contractors utilize Attachment 7? Please advise.

Section M does not require the contractor to provide a time-phased breakdown of the cost proposal. Offerors should follow the directions provided in Attachment 7, Additional Business Proposal Instructions, and in Section L for completion of their cost proposals.

1. Pg. 46 requires the discussion of a proposed technical approach in conjunction with tasks to be performed in achieving program objectives. The paragraph requires the Contractor to clearly outline the general plan of work. Discussing phasing of research and if appropriate, include experimental design and possible outcomes of approaches proposed. Will the Contractor be required to conduct and be responsible for laboratory research? How is the requirement in the technical discussions applicable to a contract to provide a full range of qualified & experienced personnel to NIAID?

The intent of this section is to have offerors provide an overall approach to completing the work required by the statement of work. The language related to research is to be used only when appropriate to the individual RFP. This requirement is not for research and development. However, most of the support services required by this contract will be conducted in a laboratory setting.

1. Would a proposal, in which several small businesses “together” hold 51% of the work, be considered responsive or are we restricted to drafting a proposal in which a single small business prime alone captures 50% of the work?

No, the proposed prime contractor is required to complete at least 50 percent of the work required by the SOW.

National Institutes of Health

CONTRACT PERFORMANCE

RFP CUSTOMER SURVEY

Please complete the following questionnaire and return via fax to 301-480-0689 to the attention of Michele Pearlman or email this form to pearlmanm@niaid.nih.gov. Forms must be returned by December 17, 2009 at 11:00am directly from the evaluator.

Baseline Information

This survey pertains to the company:

Date of Survey:

Name of Person completing survey:

Your company/Agency:

Contract Number(s):

Your role in this contract:

Contracting Officer

Contract Specialist

Project Officer

Other : ______________________

Contract Award Date:

Contract Expiration Date:

Contract Value including all option and option periods

Type of Contract:

Approximate percentage of work being performed (or completed) by subcontractor(s): ______%

Subcontracting company names with Program Manager and phone numbers

General description of products/services required under the contract:

Rating Guidelines - Answers may be indicated with a or .

Quality of Product or Service

0 = Unsatisfactory 1 = Poor 2 = Fair 3 = Good 4 = Excellent 5 = Outstanding Unsatisfactory

Non-conformances are jeopardizing the achievement of contract requirements, despite use of Agency resources. Recovery is not likely. If performance cannot be substantially corrected, it constitutes a significant impediment in consideration for future awards containing similar requirements.

Poor

Overall compliance requires significant Agency resources to ensure achievement of contract requirements.

Fair

Overall compliance requires minor Agency resources to ensure achievement of contract requirements.

Good

There are no, or very minimal, quality problems, and the Contractor has met the contract requirements.

Excellent

There are no quality issues, and the Contractor has substantially exceeded the contract performance requirements without commensurate additional costs to the Government.

Outstanding

The contractor has demonstrated an outstanding performance level that was significantly in excess of anticipated achievements and is commendable as an example for others, so that it justifies adding a point to the score. It is expected that this rating will be used in those rare circumstances where contractor performance clearly exceeds the performance levels described as "Excellent".

Cost Control

Unsatisfactory

Ability to manage cost issues is jeopardizing performance of contract requirements, despite use of Agency resources. Recovery is not likely. If performance cannot be substantially corrected, this level of ability to manage cost issues constitutes a significant impediment in consideration for future awards.

Poor

Ability to manage cost issues requires significant Agency resources to ensure achievement of contract requirements.

Fair

Ability to control cost issues requires minor Agency resources to ensure achievement of contract requirements.

Good

There are no, or very minimal, cost management issues and the Contractor has met the contract requirements.

Excellent

There are no cost management issues and the Contractor has exceeded the contract requirements, achieving cost savings to the Government.

Outstanding

The contractor has demonstrated an outstanding performance level that justifies adding a point to the score. It is expected that this rating will be used in those rare circumstances where the contractor achieved cost savings and performance clearly exceeds the performance levels described as "Excellent".

Timeliness of Performance

Unsatisfactory

Delays are jeopardizing the achievement of contract requirements, despite use of Agency resources. Recovery is not likely. If performance cannot be substantially corrected, it constitutes a significant impediment in consideration for future awards.

Business Relations

Unsatisfactory

Response to inquiries and/or technical, service, administrative issues are not effective. If not substantially mitigated or corrected it should constitute a significant impediment in considerations for future awards.

Poor

Response to inquiries and/or technical, service, administrative issues are marginally effective.

Good

Response to inquiries and/or technical, service, administrative issues are consistently effective.

Excellent

Response to inquiries and/or technical, service, administrative issues exceed Government expectation

Outstanding

The contractor has demonstrated an outstanding performance level that justifies adding a point to the score. It is expected that this rating will be used in those rare circumstances where contractor performance clearly exceeds the performance levels described as "Excellent"

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

The contractor is committed to customer satisfaction.

Would you select this firm again?

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: