Q A's_-_RFQ_Amendment_2_-_ACIOP_2016.docx

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Office of Acquisitions National Library of Medicine 6707 Democracy Blvd., Suite 105 Bethesda, MD 20892-5488

To all Vendors: The purpose of this Amendment is to respond to vendor questions and to announce that all questions need to be submitted via email to Gregory.Benedict@nih.gov. The due date to submit questions is on May 27, 2016.

VENDOR QUESTIONS

1. RFQ: Section 11-Submission Requirements; Para. (c); Page 12:

Offerors shall submit a detailed budget providing a breakdown and justification for the costs included in each expenditure category. The offeror shall include three (3) quotes for all materials to be purchased throughout this contract within their proposal. All quotes must be valid for 60 days. The categories listed are not exhaustive and should be modified for the specific items you are requesting.

QUESTIONS: Does this mean that an organization will need to get and submit 3 separate bids/quotes, along with the application for any "materials to be purchased." How does NLM define materials? Like for instance, if you purchase a 60" TV and any required peripheral equipment (e.g., a smart cart that allows Internet access and navigation), does this mean that you have to submit 3 quotes from TV vendors and 3 quotes from IT folk?

Materials vary depending on the needs of your project. They can range from laptops and cell phones to televisions and any required peripheral equipment. Upon review of the proposal the technical review panel will make a determination as to whether the purchases are necessary. The quotes allow the panel to make a determination as to whether the prices paid for materials are fair and reasonable and in the Government’s best interest. For this particular example (3) quotes would need to be submitted from TV vendors and (3) additional quotes for the peripheral equipment.

1. RFQ: C. Instruction For Preparing the Technical Portion of the Quotation; Section 1-Introduction; Para 4; Section 2-Technical Discussion; Para-all paragraphs; Page 13 thru 15:

PROJECTS DESCRIPTIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE BRIEF AND SHALL NOT EXCEED 10 PAGES

QUESTIONS: Exactly what is meant by "Project Description" as used? What exactly is supposed to be included in the 10-page limit? Should the entire Technical Discussion section from A. Background Information all the way through F. Past Performance be included as the Project Description? Attachment #7 indicates the Project Description consist only of Background Information, Goals and Objectives, Approach and Methodology, Evaluation, and Project Schedule. Is this 10 page limit for the entire Statement of Work and not just the Project Description as the above referenced paragraph indicates? Is the expectation that the Project Description—its five sections (Background Information, Goals and Objectives, Approach and Methodology, Evaluation, and Project Schedule) and the remaining 4 sections (Personnel, Facilities, Partnerships/Collaborations, and Past Performance) be included in 10 page limit?

The project description is a detailed outline of what it is each organization proposing. Per the RFQ (Page 13), attachment 7 is only to help and “is not a requirement and does not need to be included in your quotation”. The 10 page limit applies only to the Project Description. The overall quotation shall not exceed a total of 50 single-spaced pages. If the organization feels all or just some of the information outlined in attachment 7 needs to be included that would be something organizations should determination on an individual, project specific, basis.

1. Attachment 9 – All Tables – How should Attachment 9 GPAT tables be completed for projects not using electronic information technology (EIT) that are only conducting workshops and disseminating paper copies of NLM information?

The GPAT has been specific tailored for the “HIV/AIDS Community Information Outreach Project” Each organization should complete the areas of the GPAT that they feel apply to their specific project. The GPAT form allows the organization to explain their answers. If the panel feels additional information is required after initial review organizations will have the opportunity to make necessary revisions.

1. Attachment 10 – Is there a different Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) documented that is updated with questions from all potential offerors posted online?

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) currently provided is the only FAQ document available. Any other questions posed by potential offerors are posted as amendments to the solicitation.

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