Questions_and_Responses_to_NIHOD2015052.pdf

Questions and Responses Solicitation Number NIHOD2015052

1) Question: Is there an incumbent contractor or is this a new requirement?

Answer: This is a new requirement for NIH – no incumbent.

2) Question: Why has the subject solicitation come out as a Total Small Business Set-Aside?

Answer: Reference FAR 19.502-2.

3) Question: Does the Cover Page and the Table of Contents (TOC) count towards the page limit?

Answer: No, page numbering shall begin with the narrative content for the Technical and/or Business proposal.

4) Question: In the Instructions to Offerors, the description of the past performance information is confusing. Should we provide information on 6 contracts (3 of which are completed and 3 of which are ongoing) or should we provide information on 3 contracts (which may be completed or ongoing?)

Answer: We are looking for past performance information within the past three (3) years for three

(3) contracts that are similar in nature to the RFP’s work scope. They can be completed or ongoing.

5) Question: Should an estimate of ODCs (travel costs, materiel costs) be included in our Cost Volume?

Answer: Yes.

6) Question: Part of Task 2 involves developing an estimate of the hours for the various personnel to complete the work required. Moreover, Task 7 suggests that “other tasks not specifically described above” may be undertaken to support the work. In contrast, Page 1 of the Evaluation Criteria suggests that “level of effort, labor mix and labor hours” are part of the evaluation.

Similarly, the Instructions to Offerors suggests that ”labor rates and hours” are required to be submitted. Are we to estimate the hours needed and, if so, on what basis should we develop this estimate?

Answer: The Offeror shall estimate the hours required to complete the various tasks in the SOW with the hourly rate of their personnel proposed to do the work, including possible other tasks not known at the time but are needed to meet the overall objectives of the RBAs. Reference FAR 52.216-31.

7) Question: In the SOW, page 7, Task 5, E2 is described in the section that is used primarily for the quantification of risks that arise from mishaps in the laboratory or by hostile actors (that is, the probabilities that a bad outcome happens and its consequences should it happen.) However, E2 seems to describe a factor that should be a risk input instead of a risk output (physical and personnel security would contribute to the risk predictions for bad outcomes arising from a breach). Please clarify if E2 belongs in this section or should go above in Task 5, C.

Answer: We appreciate that the statement in Task 5. E. 2) may appear confusing. What we will be expecting the selected contractor to do is analyze the risks and consequences that might occur from failures or deficiencies in the physical and personnel security practices and systems that exist at a facility where this type of research would be conducted.