Q&A.pdf

Q&A NIHES201800005/000001

.No. Reference Questions Answers

1 General

Can a HBCU compete with or without teaming with a small business for this solicitation as a total small business set-aside?

This solicitation is being competed on a total small business set-aside basis; only potential small business concerns are encouraged to apply.

2 General

If submitting a RFQ for this announcement constitutes the only solicitation, do we also need submit a RFP by June 12th since quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued?

Interested parties submit quotes in response to the

Solicitation/Request for Quote (RFQ). See solicitation/RFQ closing date in Amendment 00001.

RFQ Section L Page

(b) Tab 2, bullet 9: Does “SOW paragraphs” refer to the SOW for the reference contract, or for the SOW for the NIHES201800005?

b. Volume II – Past Performance: (b) Tab 2, bullet 9. Refer to

Attachment I - General Statement of Work (SOW)

4 RFQ Section L

Please provide Attachment III (Past Performance Risk Assessment

Questionnaire) as an MS Word file or a PDF Fillable Form that

References can easily complete.

Interested Quoters can easily convert the document to a word document or make it a fillable form. However, Attachment III -

Past Performance Risk Assessment Questionnaire has been deleted in its entirety.

5 RFQ Section L & M

Please clarify: Should Past Performance Risk Assessment

Questionnaires be completed by the Contracting Officer or the

Contracting Officer’s Representative?

Attachment III - Past Performance Risk Assessment Questionnaire has been deleted in its entirety.

6 RFQ Section L

Please clarify: Can Quoters provide Reference information in Tabs

1 and 2 of Volume II if the Reference representative does not complete and submit Past Performance Risk Assessment

Questionnaires?

Attachment III - Past Performance Risk Assessment Questionnaire has been deleted in its entirety.

RFQ Section L, Work

Samples Page 33 of

a. Please confirm that Work Samples may be relevant to any task described in the General Statement of Work. That is, Work Samples are not limited to tasks in the Sample Task

Order.

(a) Tab 1 – Technical Approach: c. Work Samples is completely different and separate from (a) Tab 1 – Technical Approach: b.

STO SOW Technical Solution (for work under Attachment II –

STO SOW).

b. Are Quoters required to submit complete scientific manuscripts and materials?

Or, are images accompanied by complete citations and/or descriptions sufficient?

In keeping within the stated page limitations, Quoters are to submit a variety of work samples (i.e., verifiable published literature studies, educational materials, layouts & graphic designs for scientific presentations, scientific manuscripts, and/or images accompanied by complete citations/descriptions) to be evaluated to ensure they demonstrate a high quality of the work that will be performed under the contract.

c. If complete manuscripts or materials are required, do those pages count against the Volume I page limitation (50 pages)?

It is up to Quoters to determine what to include in the variety of work samples they submit. In Amendment 00001 work samples have been excluded from the page count.

RFQ Section L, Resumes Page 33 of

a. Please clarify: Does the term “key labor categories” refer to only the labor category(s) for staff designated as Key

Personnel?

See Amendment 00001, term “key Labor Category” has been changed to “Key Personnel”. Also see ARTICLE G.2. KEY

PERSONNEL, HHSAR 352.237-75 (DECEMBER 2015). The key personnel specified in the contract are considered to be essential to work performance.

b. Or, should Quoters provide resumes for one or more staff member(s) in each labor category expected to make a significant contribution to the various aspects of General

Statement of Work?

See response to question above and yes, these are individuals who contribute to the execution of the contract and subsequent task orders in a substantive and measurable way. They are generally considered senior/key personnel and are always named in the contract. Their absence from the contract would have a significant impact on the task orders. The requirement for notification of changes in status of key personnel applies only to those senior/key personnel named in the contract.

c. If Quoters are required to provide multiple resumes for multiple labor categories, do those pages count against the Volume I page limitation (50 pages)?

See Amendment 00001, resumes have been excluded from the page count.

Attachment II Sample

Task Order (STO)

SOW

To help Quoters prepare an accurate Firm Fixed Price estimate, please provide the following information:

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

a. Number of HHS EJ Working Group meetings (Task 3.1.1.) Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

b. Number of “other meetings as assigned” (Task 3.1.2) Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

c. Number and length of “additional materials” (Task 3.3.3;

Task 3.3.4; Deliverables 3, 4, 5, 6)

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

Attachment II Sample

Task Order (STO)

SOW 3.6 Deliverables

a. Is the Quoter required to establish the Shared Virtual Spaces, or will the COR provide access to existing resources?

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

b. Are the Shared Virtual Spaces for NIEHS-Quoter use only, or intended for use by all stakeholders?

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

11 RFQ Section L

At least one of our CORs has been instructed by their Contracting

Official to reference CPARS evaluations, that is to NOT complete the past performance survey.

Attachment III - Past Performance Risk Assessment Questionnaire has been deleted in its entirety.

a. Please confirm that quoters may submit CPARS reports in lieu of COR-completed survey forms.

Attachment III - Past Performance Risk Assessment Questionnaire has been deleted in its entirety.

b. If this is permissible, would NIEHS consider excluding

CPARS reports from the 50 page limitation for Volume II?

Attachment III - Past Performance Risk Assessment Questionnaire has been deleted in its entirety.

12 General Is there an incumbent? If so, who? This is a new requirement. As such, there is no incumbent.

13 General Are there any other subcontractors on the current contract? This is a new requirement. As such, there is no incumbent.

14 General Will contractors be allowed access to existing systems? This will be determined on individual task orders.

15 General Is travel booked as a group or procured through individual government purchase card?

The Government will not book travel for the contractor nor will expense be reimbursed through the GPC. Any travel required by a task order will be procured by the contractor, and the cost will be reimbursed by the government. Note that the contractors travel to

NIEHS Building 101, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research

Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, other buildings located throughout the NIEHS Campus, from their home office and back is not a reimbursable travel expense.

16 General

What is the expected hours for program management (on call, weekly, monthly)?

The entire Contract has an established ceiling and will include numerous labor categories to be utilized on individual task orders issued at different and unknown times during the 5 year period.

17 General

What systems are currently use to manage meetings phone conferences?

Existing teleconference services at NIEHS are available to conduct phone conferences as part of this contract. Video conferencing software typically used at NIEHS is WebEx.

18 General

Contracts of this nature generally have a five-year period of performance. As the Government is trending towards evaluating past performance within the most recent five years, would the

Government consider applying a five-year window for past performance?

To ensure your references are recent, the referenced work must be in a state where it is currently being performed or was performed within the past three (3) years or not more than three (3) years from the RFQ release date.

19 General

If there was a predecessor contract for this opportunity, what was the contract number, incumbent name, and contract expiration date if any?

This is a new requirement. As such, there is no incumbent.

20 General

If there was no predecessor contract for this opportunity, will the

NIHEHS please provide any historical estimates of staff time by role to perform this work?

This is a new requirement. As such, there is no incumbent.

RFQ Part I Section

L4.4.(3)c(b)1 confirming that “Tab 2 – Price Quote” table, upper part of table, the units in the columns by year are all-in hourly rates by billable hour (not payroll hour)

Hourly rates must be fully burdened labor rates .

Suggest 1,920 billable hours/year as the FTE definition – is this acceptable?

RFQ Part I Section L4.4.(3)c(b)1 1. Contract Pricing List (for work under Attachment I – General SOW) is for the IDIQ contract. Hours were not requested.

Confirming that we are not to change the title of the rows “Travel

Expenses” and “ODC Expenses” but are to include values in the two rightmost columns.

Quoters are not to change the title of the rows “Travel Expenses” and “ODC Expenses”. See Amendment 00001 for changes. Only the Quoter’s direct rate (%) is needed.

Please confirm whether the “Total $” column for these rows is in units of annual total dollars or dollars per average labor hour. o If annual total dollars, please confirm for which year or if average of all 5 years.

See Amendment 00001 for changes. Only the Quoter’s direct rate

(%) is needed. The “Total $” column has been deleted.

Please confirm how the percent should be calculated – if dollars as a percent of the sum of the dollar cost of all labor categories, what should be used as the labor hours (total and mix) for weighting?

See Amendment 00001 for changes. The “Total $” column has been deleted. The Quoter shall identify any Indirect Rates (G&A, Overhead, Material Handling, etc.) that will be applied to Travel.

RFQ Part III Section J

IV

The Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form is referenced as a

Business Proposal Attachment with no other references to the form or the words “Business Proposal”. If no entity was engaged to lobby to influence this RFQ, should Form SF-LLL still be submitted? If so, in which volume?

If no entity was/is engaged in lobby to influence this RFQ, then

Form SF-LLL should not be submitted

Attachment I, 4.0

General Tasks, bullet in re: “Development and coordination of networks of research institutions including other partner groups around the world”, please confirm that the development and coordination referred to is limited to technical, logistical and administrative functional support to NIHEHS network development efforts.

The support provided by the contractor for development and coordination of networks of research institutions will be technical, logistical, and/or administrative in nature.

Attachment I, 4.0

General Tasks, bullet in re: “Convening and organizing meetings, conferences, and workgroups of scientists”, will the contractor be solely providing technical, logistical and administrative functional support to the official organizer of these events, or is a more primary role envisaged?

The contractor will be solely responsible for providing any of the technical, logistical and administrative work required unless otherwise stated in task orders.

Attachment I, 12.0

Place of Performance

vs. Attachment 2, 7.0.

Place of Performance

Please will the NIHEHS clarify the level of staffing expected to be present at Research Triangle Park on a regular basis.

Most of the work included with this contract can be done remotely if the contractor has robust means of video communication and file transfer. Onsite attendance would be expected in the instance of convening and organizing meetings, which is expected less than

5 times per year and specific task orders will state this information. However, at no point during performance of a task order will designated office space be provided/allocated for contractor staff.

30 General Is there an incumbent currently or previously completing this requirement? Or is this a new requirement?

This is a new requirement. As such, there is no incumbent.

31 General

Does the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation posted as solicitation number NIHES201800005 on FBO contain requirements similar to a existing contract or will this be a new requirement?

This is a new requirement.

32 General If possible, please provide the current contract number This is a new requirement.

33 General

Is there an incumbent contractor? If so, could you please provide the current or previous contract number? Or is this a new requirement for the government?

This is a new requirement.

34 General

The anticipated total award amount is $966,059.14 for 5 years. Is this anticipated cap for the total of all task orders to be issued

The ceiling of $966,059.14 for 5 years represents the total amount of all task orders to be issued under the multiple award contract vehicle within the 5 year period? Or, is this cap per task order? Can you please provide an example?

35 General Will multiple task orders be awarded within a single year (12 month) period?

Yes, multiple task orders will be issued each year.

36 General At this time, do you know the expected time length of each task order?

Specific information will be on each task order. No task order can exceed a 12 month period.

37 General Will the NIEHS extend the due date? See Amendment 00001 for the new closing date.

38 General

Is there an incumbent on the project? Can you tell us if the incumbent is eligible to bid? Can you tell us who the incumbent is?

This is a new requirement. As such, there is no incumbent.

39 General

Are there any restrictions to the amount or cost of food and beverages to be provided at events and meetings, and is there any specific approval required?

The government cannot pay for any food or beverages as part of a meeting or conference.

40 General

Will the NIEHS require transcription services at any of the events, meetings, or conferences? If so, can you estimate how many and the duration of each of those events? Will these events also be audio recorded? Will the NIEHS prefer verbatim or executive summary transcription?

Transcription services may be requested as part of a meeting or conference in summary form. Meetings are generally less than one day, but a multi-day conference could be possible.

41 Section L.4, 4

In accordance with the requirement in Tab 3, Staffing Plan and

Technical Experience to provide resumes associated with each key labor category, can these be excluded from the overall page limitation to allow more space for explanation of our management and technical solutions?

Staffing plan and technical experience should be included in the

50-page maximum mission capability section. Only resumes associated with the key labor categories are excluded from the page limitation.

42 Section L.4, 4

In accordance with the requirement in Tab 2, Signed Contractor

Teaming Arrangements to provide evidence of binding commitments, can these be excluded from the overall page limitation to provide more space for explanation of our management and technical solutions?

See Amendment 00001, signed contractor teaming arrangements have been excluded from the page count.

43 Attachment I, 4.0

The RFP indicates a requirement for “development of content for the Office of the Director.” Can you be more specific or give examples of the type and quantities of that content?

The OD covers such a wide range of environmental health science topics. As such, specific topic being conveyed in the tasks cannot be narrow down much further at this time; however, the topics will only focus on projects the NIEHS & NTP Director is involved in.

The contractor shall be required to have an in-depth understanding of the science that is being conveyed in the presentations. Content may include, but is not limited to, research summaries of EHS subject matter for use in presentations and written materials.

Specific details will be provided at the task order level.

44 Attachment I, 4.0

Regarding publications for newsletters, reports, PowerPoint presentations, manuscripts, peer reviewed publications, and educational materials, can an estimate be provided on the number of documents, the average size of the documents, and the format i.e. color pages, etc?

See response to question above. Due to the uncertainty of quantity, an IDIQ contract type is being used. However, specific details will be provided at the task order level. Content and editing for newsletters, reports, PowerPoint presentations, manuscripts, peer reviewed publications, and educational materials are expected to be requested between once and six times per month throughout the year. Documents will be standard letter-sized, and in color.

45 Attachment I, 4.0 What is the expected standard size of the newsletters, any brochures, flyers, mailers, and educational materials?

Newsletters, brochures, flyers, mailers, and educational materials will either be online or basic letter-sized materials.

46 Attachment I, 4.0 For printed materials, do you prefer the use of an in house printer or will the Contractor be using a preferred printing vendor?

The Government does not have a preferred printing vendor.

47 Attachment I, 4.1.1

Regarding the requirement for maintenance support for webpages as directed, can you provide detail about the type of support required? For example, do the webpages already exist on the

NIEHS website, or are these intended to be standalone, newly created webpages hosted on a contractor server with links back to the NIEHS website?

Contractors will either provide content for existing NIEHS webpages or will create standalone webpages hosted on their server.

48 Attachment I, 4.2.3

Regarding the requirement to support participant registration, does the NIEHS have a preferred set of software, a database, or other tools used to track registration? Does this requirement only refer to on-site registration, or will the contractor be responsible for any pre-registration? If so, is the Contractor required to design a website to facilitate online registration?

NIEHS does not have preferred software or tools to track registration. Registration could be required for onsite, offsite, or virtual events. If the contractor feels the best solution to facilitate registration is to create a website, that should be part of their proposal.

49 Attachment II

Believe that the sections following the Deliverables Table in section 3.6 should be numbered 4.0 through 9.0

The sample statement of work is numbered incorrectly. 3.0 is used for Tasks, and repeated for Government Furnished Property, Equipment, and Services.

50 Attachment II, 3.1.1 What is the cadence of the meetings (weekly, monthly, etc.)? Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

51 Attachment II, 3.1.1 Are these meetings in person? If yes, is travel required? Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

52 Attachment II, 3.1.1 How many people will attend these meetings? Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

53 Attachment II, 3.1.1 Please describe all of the meals that will be provided for the attendees (breakfast, breaks, lunch, etc.).

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

54 Attachment II, 3.1.1 Please describe the AV requirements of this meeting. Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

55 Attachment II, 3.1.1 Is facility rental required for these meetings? Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

56 Attachment II, 3.1.3 How many guest speakers will be invited per meeting? Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

57 Attachment II, 3.1.3 Will the guest speaker, at any time, be traveling from an international location?

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

58 Attachment II, 3.1.3 How many guest participants will be invited per meeting? Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

59 Attachment II, 3.1.3 Will the guest participant, at any time, be traveling from an international location?

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

60 Attachment II, 3.1.3

Please further clarify the statement “Costs for travel, meals, per diems etc. will be determined for each event and provide through a contract modification”. Does this mean that these items will not be known if required at the time of the issuance of each Task Order?

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

61 Attachment II, 3.1.4 Please clarify “several.” Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

62 Attachment II, 3.1.4 Is travel required for the meetings? Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

63 Attachment II, 3.1.4 Is facility rental required for the meetings? Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

64 Attachment II, 3.1.4 Are meals provided for these meetings? Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

65 Attachment II, 3.1.4 Please describe your AV needs. Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

66 Attachment II, 3.2.1 What system is currently being used to track the implementation? Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

67 Attachment II, 3.4.1 What is the cadence of the meetings (Annual)? Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

68 Attachment II, 3.4.1

Are you requiring an off-site participation service? Meaning: Does the conference require attendees to be in-person or will you need a way for participants to attend in a remote way?

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

69 Attachment II, 3.4.1 How many people will attend these meetings? Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

70 Attachment II, 3.4.1 Please describe all the meals that will be provided for the attendees (breakfast, breaks, lunch, etc.).

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

71 Attachment II, 3.4.1 Please describe the AV requirements of this meeting. Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

72 Attachment II, 3.4.1 Please list the number of breakout/ tracks the conference desires. Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced

73 Attachment II, 3.4.1 What is the anticipated number of speakers for this conference? Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

74 Attachment II, 3.4.1 How many speakers will be from international locations? Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

75 Attachment II, 3.4.1 Will the speakers receive Honorarium? If yes, what is the desired rate?

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

76 Attachment II, 3.4.1 How many days do you anticipate the conference being? Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

77 Attachment II, 3.4.1 Do you have an agenda for the conference? Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

78 Attachment II, 3.4.1 Do you desire sponsors? If yes, is it the contractor’s responsibility to obtain these?

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

79 Attachment II, 3.4.1 What is the desired location of the meeting? Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

80 Attachment II, 3.4.1 When will this meeting take place? Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

81 Attachment II, 3.4.1 Will you charge a registration rate for attendees? Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

82 Attachment II, 3.4.1 Do you desire exhibitors? If yes, is it the contractor’s responsibility obtain these?

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

83 Attachment II, 3.4.1 Will transportation be provided for attendees to and from the venue/hotel?

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

84 Attachment II, 3.4.1

Do you intend to have abstracts for this conference? If yes, will the abstracts be selected for podium presentation, posters or both?

Also, will the participant pay for their printing of posters?

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

85 Attachment II, 3.4.1 Please list the desired social media platforms for the conference? Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

86 Attachment II, 3.4.1 Is the contractor responsible for website design? If yes, what are the desired functions and pages for the website?

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

87 Attachment II, 3.4.1 Does a logo exist for the conference? If no, is the contractor responsible for providing?

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

89 Attachment II, 3.4.1 Are continuing education credits desired for this event? If yes, please provide which credits are desired (CME, CCRC, CNE, etc.)

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

90 Attachment II, 3.4.2 Please describe the type of support required for partnerships. Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

91 Attachment II, 3.4.2 Please describe the implementation activities. Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced

92 Attachment II, 3.6 Is the Contractor responsible for designing a website to promote each of these event?

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

93 Attachment II, 7.0

The Sample Task Order states that contractor is to provide services “at 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, RTP, NC. Note that travel to this location is not authorized” however Attachment I, page 3, Section 12 states place of performance is contractor’s own facility.

Please clarify if staff are required to work on site or travel to site in support of this work.

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

94 Attachments I, 10.0

Travel is noted for domestic and international – if any of the meetings or conferences will be in international locations can you specify which locations and an estimate of how many attendees/individuals?

All meetings where NIEHS serves as host under this SOW will be within the United States, but meeting attendees may be international. Individual task orders will provide specific details.

Attachment I, General

SOW 4.2.2

states “Costs for travel, meals, per diems etc. will be determined for each event and provide through a contract modification.” On the Contract Pricing List and the STO Pricing Sheets, what should be in the Total $ for Travel and ODCs cell?

This section has been deleted in its entirety. Contractors are only required to provide an indirect rate (percent) for travel and ODCs.

The expectation is that the contractor will apply the fixed indirect rate to the actual cost for travel and items covered under ODC.

Attachment II Sample

Task Order (STO)

SOW

The STO SOW Tasks are not specific enough to accurately come up with an estimated number of hours needed to complete all of the tasks listed in the STO. Examples of more details that are needed are broken down for each task below. If NIEHS is unable to give more specific details will you consider stating how many hours of each type of support is needed?

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

3.0. TASKS: The Contractor shall provide administrative support services in order to execute this task order. 3.1. HHS EJ Working

Group Meeting Planning and Support - The Contractor shall:

3.1.1. Provide support to meetings of the HHS EJ Working Group, including preparation of draft meeting agendas, meeting summaries, and follow-up action items. (How many meetings?

How long are the meetings?)

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

3.1.2. Provide support to HHS in planning and conducting other meetings as assigned. (How many meetings? How long are the meetings? How many attendees?)

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

3.1.3. Provide administrative support to activity participants with logistical details such as site arrangements, lodging, and development and distribution of preparatory materials, and information developed in advance of the meetings or workshops.

Administrative support shall include contacting attendees with information by telephone, in writing, or other appropriate means, Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced and making travel arrangements for guest speakers and other guest participants. Costs for travel, meals, per diems etc. will be determined for each event and provide through a contract modification. (How many meetings? How many attendees?)

3.1.4. Provide support to meetings and related activities of several

HHS EJ implementation groups (How many meetings and activities?)

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

3.2. Environmental Justice Strategy Planning and Evaluation of

Implementation - The Contractor shall: As part of its mission, NIEHS Federal agencies must identify and address, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of their programs, policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income populations. To advance these efforts, the contractor shall gather information for the synthesis and evaluation of research accomplishments and will enter data for required reports. Key sub-activities include, but are not limited to the following:

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

3.2.1 Track implementation of the 2012 HHS EJ Strategy and the

Priority Areas of Focus.

3.2.2 Provide assistance in developing quantitative and/or

qualitative metrics for assessing HHS progress in meeting environmental justice goals and objectives (How many hours of support will be needed?)

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

3.2.3 Provide support for development of a new HHS

Environmental Justice Strategy and/or Priority Areas of Focus document. (How many hours of support will be needed?)

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

3.2.4 The contractor may be asked to develop techniques and

methods to evaluate programs, including defining evaluation questions and developing logic models for various program areas.

(How many hours of support will be needed?)

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

3.2.5. Provide support to HHS in the completion of EJ Strategy tasks. (How many hours of support will be needed?)

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

3.2.6. Provide support to HHS in developing additional EJ actions, e.g., climate justice initiatives. (How many hours of support will be needed?)

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

3.3. Materials Development - The Contractor shall: Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced

3.3.1 Prepare HHS Environmental Justice Implementation

Progress Report and other documents as directed. (How many documents and what is the complexity of the documents?)

3.3.2 Provide support to HHS in the preparation of PowerPoint presentations and other materials for periodic meetings of the HHS

EJ Leadership Advisory Group, the Federal EJ Interagency

Working Group, and other Federal agency partners. (How many meetings will require preparation by the contractor?)

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

3.3.3 Prepare additional materials for HHS as assigned. (How

many materials will need developing and how complex are the documents?)

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

3.3.4. Prepare fact sheets, newsletters, and other communication materials to inform HHS officials and stakeholders about the status of EJ implementation activities. (How many documents will need preparing?)

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

3.4. Stakeholder Engagement Support - The Contractor shall:

3.4.1. Provide technical support (e.g., draft presentations, identification of stakeholders) and logistical support to

HHS/OASH for its participation in stakeholder engagement activities at EJ-related conferences and meetings (similar to e.g., 2016 National Funding Resources Training Summit to Revitalize

Vulnerable Communities, 2017 National Environmental Justice

Conference,), and various webinars. (How many meetings/engagements will we need to prepare a presentation for?)

3.4.2 Provide support to HHS/OASH in creating partnerships with key HHS stakeholder organizations, e.g., National Medical

Association, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, and American

Public Health Association, in EJ implementation activities.

3.4.3 Develop and maintain directory of key HHS non-federal

stakeholders.

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

3.5 Children’s Environmental Justice Focus Area - The Contractor shall:

3.5.1 Provide support for activities related to children’s

environmental health disparities, including childhood lead exposure. This includes stakeholder engagement, analytical and logistical support, as well as communications efforts, such as preparing documents for dissemination via webinar and/or phone calls or other media. (How many documents will need to be created?)

3.5.2. The contractor shall ensure that all conference-related activities are in compliance with current policies in accordance with OMB Memorandum M-12-12 related to Executive Order

13589: Promoting Efficient Spending.

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

Attachment II Sample

Task Order (STO)

SOW

For understanding the effort required in the sample Task Order, can the federal government provide a general estimate of the number of participants physically attending the HHS EJ Working

Group meetings?

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

Is it generally understood that the meeting would take place at the

NIEHS Main Campus? What is the general frequency of the meetings in a given year?

Attachment II Sample Task Order (STO) SOW has been replaced in its entirety.

116 General

Does the government intend to provide office space in the

Keystone facility for personnel serving under this contract? If so, can you give a general number of workstations that would be provided?

No office space will be provided for performance of task orders under this contract.

117 General Does NIEHS currently have a contractor providing these functions to the Office of the Director?

This is a new requirement. As such, there is no incumbent.

118 RFQ

Are there any specific font sizes, borders or graphic limitations for the proposal?

As stated in section L, elaborate formats, bindings or color presentations are not desired or required and page limitations have been provided.

119 RFQ Section L

At least one of our CORs has been instructed by their contracting official to reference CPARS evaluations rather than complete the past performance survey.

Please confirm that quoters may submit CPARS reports in lieu of

COR-completed survey forms.

If this is permissible, would NIEHS consider excluding CPARS reports from the 50 page limitation for Volume II?

Attachment III - Past Performance Risk Assessment Questionnaire has been deleted in its entirety.

Section G, Article G.4

And Article G.5, Contract

Administration

Given that resulting Task Orders will be Fixed Price, please confirm that the successful Offeror will be able to invoice the

Government monthly for incremental payment.

Task orders will provide invoicing instructions but it is not uncommon for invoicing to occur on a monthly basis.

Section L, Article

L.4,. General Proposal

Instructions

Only e-mailed quotes will be accepted.” Given the requirement to submit “Work Samples” that may contain graphics, please advise if there are any file size limitations for the email submission of proposals. Additionally, are Offerors to submit all proposal volumes in a single email or will multiple emails be acceptable?

The RFQ does not state a requirement for submission of a quote in a single e-mail. Multiple e-mails are acceptable; however, burden of ensuring the Contractor’s quote is received by this office, within the stated timeframe, is the Contractor’s responsibility.

122 General Sow

Although we recognize the performance location will be specified in the individual TORP, please clarify if all resulting Task Order work will be performed onsite at Government-provided facilities and the Government will provide all necessary equipment, software, supplies, etc. to perform work activities. Additionally, please identify work location(s) or anticipated work location(s).

The Contractor shall be required to provide services within the

Continental United States (CONUS). Work for this contract can be performed at the contractor’s own facility. Most meetings and deliveries shall be done electronically, by telephone, or by videoconference. No office space will be provided for performance of task orders under this contract. Some limited travel to the NIEHS site in RTP, NC may be necessary to perform some aspects of the SOW, but the primary place of performance is at the contractor’s facility.

Section L, Article

L.4(3)A.(A)B., P.33.

Mission Capability

Provide your technical solution to the setting in Attachment III –

STO.” Please confirm the reference to Attachment III – STO should be Attachment II – STO.

The correct reference is to Attachment II.

Section L, Article

L.4(3)A.(C), P.33.

Mission Capability

Resumes associated with each key labor category should be submitted to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, training, and education levels for this labor category considered necessary for each key labor category proposed (Simply claiming the proposed qualifications is not acceptable).” As the requirement associated with Tab 3 are associated with the General SOW, are Offerors to determine who is “key” for the successful execution of the overall

SOW or contract and provide individual resume(s) for each proposed key personnel?

Yes, since the requirement associated with Tab 3 is associated with the General SOW, Quoters are to determine who is “key” for the successful execution of the overall SOW and contract and are to provide individual resume(s) for each proposed key personnel.

Section M, Article

M.1(A)1.(B), P.37.

Mission Capability

Properly executed binding commitment(s) (partnerships, joint ventures, prime contractor/ subcontractor(s)” If the Offeror possesses all the experience and qualifications needed to perform all elements of the SOW and does not team, how will the

Government evaluate Subfactor 2 of FACTOR 1 – MISSION

CAPABILITY?

See Amendment 00001 for changes to this section. The requirement for signed contractor teaming arrangements, if applicable, has been moved under Tab 3 – Staffing Plan &

Technical Experience (for work under Attachment I – General

SOW). If a Quoter lists in its Staffing Plan & Technical

Experience the use of partnerships, joint ventures, or prime contractor/subcontractor(s), then the expectation is that the Quoter will include the required signed contractor teaming arrangements.

If the Quoter does not intend to utilize partnerships, joint ventures, prime contractor/subcontractor(s), this will not be applicable to this section.

Section M, Article

M.1(A)1.(C), P.37.

Mission Capability

A feasible teaming arrangement which demonstrates ability to function successfully and cohesively.” If the Offeror possesses all the experience and qualifications needed to perform all elements of the SOW and does not team, how will the Government evaluate

Subfactor 2 of FACTOR 1 – MISSION CAPABILITY?

See Amendment 00001 for changes to this section. If, the Quoter does not present in its Staffing Plan & Technical Experience the use of partnerships, joint ventures, or prime contractor/subcontractor(s), this will not be applicable to this section.

Section M, Article

M.1(A)1.(C), P.37.

Mission Capability

A plan that demonstrates the suitable labor categories, staffing mix, and man-hours needed to successfully execute the requirements of the SOW based on qualifications, education levels, knowledge and expertise, and certifications of specified labor categories.” Given the requirement to propose labor categories, would the Government clarify if Offerors are simply to provide labor categories or are Offerors to provide labor category descriptions that correspond to each labor category? If the later, would the Government consider excluding the labor category descriptions from page count as this requirement with utilize a significant portion of pages against the 50-page limitation for

Volume I?

See Amendment 00001 for changes. The request for man-hours under Tab 3 – Staffing Plan & Technical Experience (for work under Attachment I – General SOW) was an error and has been deleted. Under this section, Quoters are to provide a list of labor categories with sufficient descriptive details deemed necessary to perform all the services listed in Attachment I – General SOW. In addition to this, only resumes are required for Key Personnel.

Labor category descriptions have been deleted from the page limitation.

Section M, Article

M.1(A)1.(C), P.37.

Mission Capability

A plan that demonstrates the suitable labor categories, staffing mix, and man-hours needed to successfully execute the requirements of the SOW based on qualifications, education levels, knowledge and expertise, and certifications of specified labor categories.” Please clarify the requirement for “knowledge and expertise” as this implies specific personnel knowledge and expertise.

For certain positions, the contractor shall be required to have an in-depth understanding of the science that is involved in some of the work (i.e., presentations, document preparation and production). Science is very broad in general and the OD covers such a wide range of environmental health science topics; specific topics cannot be narrow down at the contract level.

Section M, Article

M.1(A)1.(C), P.37.

Mission Capability

A plan that demonstrates the suitable labor categories, staffing mix, and man-hours needed to successfully execute the requirements of the SOW based on qualifications, education levels, knowledge and expertise, and certifications of specified labor categories.” To provide labor categories, staffing mix, and man-hours, Offerors require workload data or volume to determine man-hour estimates. As the contract will be a Task Order-based contract and the General SOW defines the overall scope of work without specific workload data or volume, would the Government consider removing the man-hours requirement from the evaluation criteria?

See Amendment 00001 for changes. The request for man-hours under Tab 3 – Staffing Plan & Technical Experience (for work under Attachment I – General SOW) was an error and has been deleted.

Section L, Article

L.4(3)B., P.34. Past

Performance

In reviewing the RFQ requirements for Tab 1 and Tab 2, there appears to be redundancy in the Government’s requirements. For example, Tab 1 calls for, “Quoter shall submit sufficient past performance information to demonstrate the depth and breadth to successfully satisfy all Task Areas.” Tab 2 calls for, “SOW paragraphs that the reference applies to Key personnel (please highlight those individuals who worked on the relevant project (s) and are being proposed for this effort).” Would the Government please clarify the distinction between the requirements for Tab 1

See Amendment 00001 for changes. This section has been simplified.

versus Tab 2? Alternatively, would the Government consider combining requirements for Tab 1 and Tab 2 into a single tab or section?

Section L, Article

L.4(3)C.(B), P.35.

Price Submission

As labor category descriptions are not required for submission with quotations, how does the Government intend to evaluate each labor category price as the basis for each labor category price may differ from Offeror to Offeror? For example, Offeror A proposes a

Program Analyst with a bachelor’s degree and 5 years of experience for $50/hr. while Offeror B proposes a Program

Analyst with a bachelor’s degree and 8 years of experience for

$75/hr. This could present significant challenges for the

Government in evaluating Offerors’ quotations as there is a high probability quotes from Offerors will differ significantly. Would the Government consider providing labor categories and labor category descriptions for performing the General SOW to facilitate the Government’s evaluation of “like” proposal offerings?

See Amendment 00001 for changes. Tab 3 – Staffing Plan &

Technical Experience (for work under Attachment I – General

SOW) requires a list of labor categories with sufficient descriptive details deemed necessary to perform all the services listed in

Attachment I – General SOW.

See Amendment 00001 for changes. The Government will evaluate the total price of the STO to determine if the Quoters price is fair and reasonable. As stated in section M, the Mission

Capability factor is of paramount consideration in the award of the contract…. All evaluation factors other than price, when combined, are significantly more important than price.

Section L, Article

L.4(3)C.(B), P.35.

Price Submission

Regarding the Contract Price List and STO Price Sheet, please confirm that the Government requires Offerors to provide a rate, inclusive of OH, G&A, and fee, to be the indirect rate.

Additionally, please clarify how Offerors should complete the total $ for travel and ODC expenses for both the Contract Price

List and STO Price Sheet no quantifiable data was provided for the computation of $ amount. If the Government desires an amount to be provided for the evaluation of the STO price, would the Government consider providing plug numbers for travel and

ODC expenses?

The Quoter shall identify any Indirect Rates (G&A, Overhead, Material Handling, etc.) that will be applied to Travel and ODCs.

See Amendment 00001 for changes. The column for total in the

Contract Pricing Matrix was an error and has been deleted. Travel and ODCs are not anticipated for the STO and are therefore not expected.

133 General Is there a incumbent contractor? If so what company? This is a new requirement. As such, there is no incumbent.

134 General

Please define place of performance due to conflicts from the place of performance from SECTION J – ATTACHMENTS I - III 12.0.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: The Contractor shall work out of their own facility and shall be required to provide services within the Continental United States (CONUS) and OCONUS in accordance with the SOW. and 111 T.W. Alexander Drive

Research Triangle Park NC 27709

See Amendment 00001 for changes. See revised place of performance in Attachment I. The Contractor shall be required to provide services within the Continental United States (CONUS).

Work for this contract can be performed at the contractor’s own facility. Most meetings and deliveries shall be done electronically, by telephone, or by videoconference. No office space will be provided for performance of task orders under this contract. Some limited travel to the NIEHS site in RTP, NC may be necessary to perform some aspects of the SOW, but the primary place of performance is at the contractor’s facility.

135 General

In regards to travel will the gov't cover travel cost of the contractor staff? If the contractor is responsible for providing travel for its employees would it be possible to be provided with the estimated number of trip per year and regions of travel?

See response to the question above. Task orders will state whether travel is required.

136 General What is the anticipated NTE cap on travel per year There isn’t a NTE amount for travel per year.

Attachment II Sample

Task Order (STO)

SOW

For the Price Quote, the required table under #1 of Tab 2- Price quote (for work under the General SOW) includes rows for Travel

Expenses and ODCs. For travel expenses and ODCs the requested information includes "Indirect Rate" and "Total $".

The identification of indirect rate(s) is straightforward.

However, I am not sure how to estimate the total $ for either travel expense or ODCs.

Under this contract, NIEHS will be issuing fixed price purchase orders. At this time, I have no way to estimate the travel or ODCs that will be needed to accomplish the total $ that will be required over the life of the contract. Should the Total $ cells be left blank at this time?