nofo qa (1) v4.pdf

NOFO-13-RVK-01 Page 1 of 12 Q&A (1)

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

NOFO-13-RVK-01

AFRL Scholars Program

Questions & Answers 03 Oct 2012

Question Government Response

1. Would the review committee prefer to see very detailed contract tailored for each contracting position or a general outline agreement for each agreement?

Section B "Technical Proposals" - two technical proposals are required...one to address the overarching requirements of AFRL-wide program at Attachment 2, and the other to address the site-specific requirements of the Phillips Research Site (PRS) at Attachment 3.

Section C "Budget and Schedule" - one cost proposal is required to address the Phillips Research Site (PRS) requirements at Attachment 3.

2. In the "C. Budget and Schedule" section on page seven (7) of nine (9), point three (3).

Addresses a laser eye examination budget item for the fifteen (15) individuals who are participating in the project. Will those individuals be placed around the country or will they be working at a particular office- i.e.

Directed Energy Directorate (RD), Kirtland AFB, NM? If they are working in one particular area, then I will find a cost efficient organization that will administer the test, or if they are placed at four (4) sites around the country, I will find a cost effective approach to solve the cost problem.

The cost proposal and laser eye examinations are specific to the Phillips Research Site (PRS) requirements, with possible assignments at Kirtland AFB, Maui HI, and Sunspot NM (Attachment 3, para 3.1).

3. Since the contract type is an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity, would the review committee prefer to see a one year budget narrative- with a clause stating there will be a 4% increase ever year. Or would the committee like to see a budget narrative for the total amount of the award with an line item explanation of all costs during the total life of the project?

Section C "Budget and Schedule" - a cost proposal is required to address the Phillips Research Site (PRS) requirements at Attachment 3, which is for the 2013 Scholar program (i.e., 1 year).

4. I also noticed on page 2 of 9 in the full text announcement, section C. "Anticipated funding/budget" there isn't a NY directorate with a student count or an award amount.

In regards to AFRL/RI requirements...while RI is not included in the estimated program cost (Overview paragraph II.F, full text announcement paragraph II.C) they would be authorized to issue task orders against the

NOFO-13-RVK-01 Page 2 of 12

Question Government Response basic agreement.

5. Is there designated amount for the Information Directorate (RI), Rome NY?

No. Please note, use of this agreement is optional for all AFRL directorates, subject to the restrictions of Articles PRS-2001 "Term of the Agreement" and PRS-2003 "Ordering" in the Model Agreement, funding availability, and delegated authority of 10 USC 2192 (full text announcement paragraph II.D).

6. In reference to the AFRL NOFO-13RVK-01, is it possible to submit questions in regards to the NOFO? There are points of clarification that would assist my organization in developing its proposal.

Yes, you are able to submit questions.

For technical questions, you can submit to:

Mr. David Hostutler, Directed Energy and Space Vehicles Directorates/RVOT, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone (505) 846-5162, email David.Hostutler@kirtland.af.mil

For contracting/agreement questions, please submit to: Ms. Evangeline Lopez, Contract Specialist, AFRL Det 8/RVKVE, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone (505) 846-4945, fax (505) 846-5576, email Evangeline.Lopez@kirtland.af.mil

And, please include a cc to the Agreements Officer: Ms. Rita A. Varley, Agreements Officer, AFRL Det 8/RVKVE, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone (505) 846-4398, fax (505) 846-5576, email Rita.Varley@kirtland.af.mil

7. Is there deadline for questions? With the publishing of Amendment #2 and the Q&A document, a deadline for questions is established at COB 04 Oct 2012.

8. Are small business eligible to receive this grant and to provide the intern program services needed?

Yes, as stated in the full text announcement under paragraph III.A.1. This Cooperative Agreement is restricted to “eligible entities”, defined as (1) a department or agency of the Federal Government, (2) a State, (3) a political subdivision of a State, (4) an individual, or (5) a not-for-profit or other organization in the private sector. Proposers must be registered in the DoD Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database at www.sam.gov, and otherwise eligible for award (2 CFR 180.125(a) and implemented by the Department of Defense in 2 CFR Part 1125, and DoD Grants and Agreements Regulation (DOD 3210.6-R) §22.415.

mailto:David.Hostutler@kirtland.af.mil mailto:Evangeline.Lopez@kirtland.af.mil mailto:Rita.Varley@kirtland.af.mil

NOFO-13-RVK-01 Page 3 of 12

Question Government Response

9. Proposal Format: As it states on pg 6 of the

NOFO, we will prepare separate technical proposals (no more than 15 pages per) for each of the SOWs associate with the RFP.

Should we submit a separate budget proposal for each SOW, or would you prefer that the budget be combined?

Section C "Budget and Schedule" - one cost proposal is required to address the Phillips Research Site (PRS) requirements at Attachment 3.

10. Insurance: If awarded, will [RECIPIENT] be expected to carry insurance to cover any accidents/injuries that may occur to participants while they are active with the programs?

While the Model Agreement does not include a specific article regarding insurance, as stated in the full text announcement under paragraph III.A.1, “Proposers must be … otherwise eligible for award (2 CFR 180.125(a) and implemented by the Department of Defense in 2 CFR Part 1125, and DoD Grants and Agreements Regulation (DOD 3210.6-R) §22.415.

§22.415(c)(2) “Has provided all certifications and assurances required by Federal statute, Executive order, or codified regulation, unless they are to be addressed in award terms and conditions at the time of award (see §22.510).

§22.510 “(a) Certifications - (1) Policy.

Certifications of compliance with national policy requirements are to be obtained from recipients only for those national policies where a statute, Executive order, or codified regulation specifically states that a certification is required.”

As such, the Recipient shall comply with employment and labor laws administered by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) http://www.dol.gov/elaws/firststep/ and those administered by State labor offices http://www.dol.gov/whd/contacts/state_of.htm

11. Operating Budget/ Anticipated Program Cost: How should we calculate the amount of the funding in the projected budgets that is for stipends vs. other program costs? For example, the AFRL Scholars program lists an anticipated budget for FY13 at $4.5 million.

Full text announcement, Paragraph IV.C.2.

“Direct Labor Costs-Scholar Stipends” is revised to provide an estimated cost for the PRS 2013 SOW (see Amendment #1).

Please note, the $4.5M FY13 budget includes AFRL locations as listed; whereas the PRS 2013 budget estimate is $2M (RD $0.5M, RV $1.5M).

12. Am I correct and understanding that this is the total anticipated funding amount to include both the general AFRL Scholars Program and the AFRL Scholars Program at Phillips Research Site (PRS)?

The $4.5M FY13 budget estimate includes AFRL locations as listed; whereas the PRS 2013 budget estimate is $2M (RD $0.5M, RV $1.5M).

http://www.dol.gov/elaws/firststep/ http://www.dol.gov/whd/contacts/state_of.htm

NOFO-13-RVK-01 Page 4 of 12

Question Government Response

13. Can you provide an estimate of the number of students that will be served through the programs? The SOW for the AFRL Scholars Program at PRS notes that it will serve 200 students at the high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels as they participate in 8 - 18 week internships. The general NOFO for the AFRL Scholar Program includes a chart on page 7 that notes 117 students. (I am not sure if these 117 students are the same as those included in the 200 count for PRS? Is there overlap?) I realize that the number of students served may fluctuate based on the availability of funding, but can you provide clarification on the numbers we should use for the purpose of our proposal?

The estimated number of students (Student Count) are shown in full text announcement paragraph II.C “Anticipated funding/budget”.

The number of students throughout this NOFO are “estimates” only. For your cost proposal, use the number of students and associated scholar stipends as revised by Amendment #1.

14. I used the stipend cost grid on page 7 of the NOFO to calculate out an estimated total scholar stipend cost. Based on the data provided, the estimated weekly stipend cost for the AFRL Scholars Program (117 students) is $80,450. If each of these students was to participate for the full 18 weeks, the total stipend cost would be less than $1.5M per year. Is this accurate? If more students are being planned for (see question 3b), how much of the program cost should be allotted to cover stipends?

Paragraph IV.C.2. “Direct Labor Costs- Scholar Stipends” is revised to provide an estimated cost for the PRS 2013 SOW (see Amendment #1).using an average 12-week assignment.

15. Application Review - Factoring in program cost: The NOFO mentions on pg 7 that price/value will be a substantial consideration in selecting proposals (second to technical considerations). Are we correct in our understanding that the cost of stipends will be set at a certain amount (which your answers to questions below should clarify) which will be less than the $4.5M estimated to be available for FY13?

The gap in funding between stipend costs and the estimated $4.5 million allotment is the amount that we should work with in factoring costs to meet the program objectives. The total estimated budget for FY13 should not exceed $4.5M. Is this an accurate understanding?

Your assumptions are inaccurate.

For your cost proposal, use the “Direct Labor Costs-Scholar Stipends” as revised by Amendment #1.

The $4.5M 2013 budget estimate includes AFRL locations as listed; whereas the PRS 2013 budget estimate is $2M (RD $0.5M, RV $1.5M). Given the scenario provided, the “gap in funding” between stipend cost ($962,160), the 15 eye laser exams, and the PRS 2013 budget ($2,000,000) would be the amount you would work with in factoring costs to meet the program objectives.

Again, the budget estimate for the PRS 2013 program is $2M (not $4.5M).

NOFO-13-RVK-01 Page 5 of 12

Question Government Response

16. Provision of housing and travel for participants: I understand that participants in the PRS Scholars Program who are located in Maui, HI are eligible for travel/lodging/meal reimbursement.

Combined with #18 below.

17. If awarded, is [RECIPIENT] expected to provide assistance in finding suitable lodging for scholars participating at all sites, or only the Maui location? There is no mention of the requirement to provide assistance with securing lodging for participants in the general AFRL Scholars Program SOW, am I correct in assuming that there is no need?

The requirement to assist scholars with finding suitable lodging is specific to the PRS SOW (paragraph 3.2 4th bullet). PRS SOW paragraph 3.1 specifically lists those locations as Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, Maui, Hawaii, and Sunspot, New Mexico.

The AFRL Scholars Program SOW paragraph

3.2 states “Site-specific details to be identified in each respective task order.” As such, this does not preclude other AFRL locations to include this requirement in any future Task Order.

18. Provision of housing and travel for participants: I understand that participants in the PRS Scholars Program who are located in Maui, HI are eligible for travel/lodging/meal reimbursement.

Can you provide a projected cost for reimbursing the Maui related travel/lodging/meals - alternatively how many students and for what length in time should we prepare to reimburse?

This cost will not be used for evaluation purposes as reimbursement of these costs are set by regulation. PRS SOW para 3.1.2.1 “…travel expenses and lodging and meals up to the maximum government authorized per diem amounts (GSA Per Diem Rates -http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/21287).”

19. Provision of on-site working space: There is a requirement to provide onsite working space for participants involved with both the PRS and general AFRL Scholars Programs .

Can you provide more explanation of this?

Does this mean coordinating with each mentor to ensure that the student has space in their lab and/or are you looking to establish a AFRL Scholar office (to be shared by all of the participants) at each research site? Will there be a cost for these spaces?

The on-site working space is to be defined by the respective AFRL location and as specified in each task order (Model Agreement article PRS-8004 “Base Support” and the overarching SOW paragraph 4.0).

The PRS SOW paragraph 3.1 specifically identifies Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, Maui, Hawaii, and Sunspot, New Mexico as the locations for scholar assignments (see Model Agreement article PRS-8004 para (d)).

The PRS SOW paragraph 5.0 specifically states that AFRL will provide on-site working space; there is no requirement for the Recipient (proposer) to coordinate this working space with the AFRL program office.

And, this is provided at no cost to the Recipient (see Model Agreement article PRS- 8004 paragraph (b)).

NOFO-13-RVK-01 Page 6 of 12

Question Government Response For the PRS SOW, the “on-site working space at the various worksites” includes laboratory/working space for the scholars as well as the work-space required for “onsite support during the summer scholar program…” (PRS SOW paragraph 3.2 Administration of the PRS Scholar program (9th bullet)).

20. Provision of on-site support during the Summer Scholar program: The two SOW's seem to express different on-site support needs.

The on-site working space is to be defined by the respective AFRL location and as specified in each task order (Model Agreement article PRS-8004 “Base Support” and the overarching SOW paragraph 4.0).

21. Am I correct in the understanding that PRS requires staff to be physically at Kirtland AFB to support the program for a period before, after, and during the internship period but that the support provided to the general AFRL Scholars Program does not necessarily have to be done in person?

Yes, the PRS SOW requires on-site support during the summer scholar program to include six weeks prior to the first scholar arrival through two weeks following the last scholar departure at Kirtland Air Force Base (PRS SOW paragraph 3.2, 9th bullet).

In regards to other AFRL location(s), their requirements for on-site program administration would be specified in their respective task order (Model Agreement article PRS-8004 “Base Support” and the overarching SOW paragraph 4.0).

22. The PRS SOW writes of Kirtland Air Force Base having installations at several locations in New Mexico and Hawaii. Should we plan to provide individuals to give onsite support at each of these sites - or should there be one onsite support person who covers all of the participating Kirtland laboratories? If the latter is preferred, at which Kirtland site should we locate the onsite support person?

On-site support at Kirtland only… As stated in the PRS SOW, paragraph 3.2, 9th bullet “Provide onsite support during the summer scholar program to include six weeks prior to the first scholar arrival through two weeks following the last scholar departure at Kirtland Air Force Base”

23. Soliciting mentors: Is there a pre-existing system for identifying mentors within the participating Air Force labs? Is there a pre-existing system, for example are there currently lab coordinators on the side of the Air Force, who assist with the coordination of the Scholars program?

For AFRL PRS--Yes, AFRL RD/RV has a system in place to identify topics of interest and mentors.

For AFRL PRS--Yes, the NOFO Technical POC is the AFRL RD/RV coordinator.

24. Section II.B. (pg 2 of 9) – Regarding the Task Orders, how many task orders are expected under the Cooperative Agreement on average during a 1 year period of award? We understand this is an raw estimate only.

At this time, the PRS SOW is the only known requirement for 2013. As stated in the full text announcement under paragraph II.B.

“Contract Type”, the contemplated agreement would allow for decentralized ordering, which

NOFO-13-RVK-01 Page 7 of 12

Question Government Response means each AFRL location could issue task orders as needed. Other than the forecasted student count at paragraph II.C. “Anticipated funding/budget”, the Government cannot predict with accuracy the number of task orders to be released in any one year. See full text announcement paragraph II.D. “Notice to Offeror(s)/Proposer(s)”, subpara 2.

25. Section IV.A.4.(d)v. (pg 5 of 9) – PureEdge Viewer is no longer available on the Grants.gov website. Will using the current version of Adobe, as indicated on the download website, be sufficient.

Grants.gov “Download Software” www.grants.gov/help/download_software.jsp lists several compatible software programs that allow successful navigation within grants.gov pages and to complete applications.

Adobe Reader (multiple versions) is listed and should be sufficient.

26. Section IV.B.1. (pg 6 of 9) – Regarding the two attached SOWs, does the Government intend to award either SOW #1 or SOW #2, or both?

Section B "Technical Proposals" - two technical proposals are required...one to address the overarching requirements at Attachment 2, and the other to address the Phillips Research Site (PRS) requirements at Attachment 3.

Section C "Budget and Schedule" - one cost proposal is required to address the Phillips Research Site (PRS) requirements at Attachment 3.

27. Model Agreement article -2003 ORDERING (AUG 2012) – Regarding the Task Orders, how many task orders are expected under the Cooperative Agreement on average during a 1 year period of award? We understand this is an raw estimate only.

At this time, the PRS SOW is the only known requirement for 2013. As stated in the full text announcement under paragraph II.B.

“Contract Type”, the contemplated agreement would allow for decentralized ordering, which means each AFRL location could issue task orders as needed. Other than the forecasted student count at paragraph II.C. “Anticipated funding/budget”, the Government cannot predict with accuracy the number of task orders to be released in any one year. See full text announcement paragraph II.D. “Notice to Offeror(s)/Proposer(s)”, subparagraph 2.

28. Model Agreement article 3.060

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY (APR

2000) (TAILORED) – Is it anticipated that Government-furnished property will be transferred to the responsibility of the Recipient? Both SOWs indicate that computers will be provided as part of the on-site working space at the various worksites, The applicability of this Article is subject to the specific requirements of each individual Task Order.

For the PRS SOW, Attachment 3, use of computers is considered “Base Support”.

PRS-8004 paragraph (a) includes “All Government property in the possession of the http://www.grants.gov/help/download_software.jsp

NOFO-13-RVK-01 Page 8 of 12

Question Government Response along with basic safety, security, etc. As the students will be at Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) facilities, we assume the computers will tagged as AFRL property assets. The students are not [RECIPIENT] employees and any property provided to them will remain under AFRL custody and control. As such, will computers provided to the students be regarded as Government furnished property transferred to [RECIPIENT] (recipient)?

Recipient, provided through the base support article, shall be used and managed in accordance with the government property articles.” The Government does not transfer responsibility of Government Property issued as a condition of Base Support.

Paragraph 5.5 states that the Government will provide on-site working space at the various worksites and basic safety, security, and IT accessories (computers, phones, etc.) and access to AFRL’s computer network.

29. Model Agreement article 6.010 EXPORT CONTROL (NOV 1999) – Please note that since the interns will be situated with their mentors and will receive training from AFRL on export control, recipient may not always be aware of student being assigned work that is export controlled. How will the recipient be advised of student assignments that might require licensing or other consents under either the EAR or ITAR? Also, will access be provided to AFRL systems by AFRL during the in-boarding process?

It is the Recipient’s responsibly to ensure compliance with this article with all employees and/or subcontractors (i.e., “the Recipient shall receive the grants officer approval before … granting access to … foreign persons or their representatives”). The PRS SOW paragraph 2.3 10th bullet requires the Recipient to “Obtain background investigations for individuals …”, and paragraph 3.3 Personnel Security requires personnel assigned to have appropriate clearances and access credentials in accordance with various DOD regulations.

In regards to access provided to participants during the in-boarding (in-processing) process, The Common Access Card (CAC) is the venue for gaining access to Government computer systems (PRS SOW paragraph 3.2.2); the Government will issue CACs as part of in-processing.

30. Model Agreement article 6.030 DATA RIGHTS (NOV 1999) – Student interns will not be employees of Recipient, but will be receiving stipends. As the interns are not employees and would not have an employee IP agreement, it is not anticipated that the Recipient would receive rights or title to data generated under the agreement by interns, but rather that such rights would vest with the intern, who would then assign them to the Government directly via an agreement with AFRL. Is this a correct assessment?

It is the Recipient’s responsibly to ensure compliance with this article with all employees and/or subcontractors.

For subcontractors, Article 6.030 paragraph

(d) requires the Recipient to include this article in all lower tier contracts and awards, regardless of tier.

NOFO-13-RVK-01 Page 9 of 12

Question Government Response

31. PRS-8005 ORGANIZATION CONFLICT OF

INTEREST (OCT 2010) – AFRL is requested to provide an example of how a student intern placement might give rise to an Organizational Conflict of Interest under this clause. As the student interns will not be employees of the Recipient and their assignments will be made by their AFRL sponsors, the concern is that the Recipient may not have prompt notice of any activities that could give rise to an Organizational Conflict of interest. Recipient will have knowledge of intern activities through their final presentations, and believes that they will not be engaged in writing substantial portions of a SOW or specification nor will they be involved in evaluating proposals so as to give rise to a biased ground rules or impaired objectivity type OCI” Is this correct?

This suggests that the concern is access to third party proprietary information?

[RECIPIENT] would mitigate any such OCI, if it occurred by entering into NDAs with the student and with the third party in question or AFRL, undertaking to use the data only for the purpose it was provided. Please confirm that this does not create an Organization Conflict Of Interest for future announcements to which [RECIPIENT] may respond.

Example: The scholar may gain access to another contractor’s proprietary data/ research (PRS-8005 paragraph (b)).

Article PRS-8005 Organizational Conflict of Interest specifically prohibits the Recipient from using the [proprietary] information for any other purpose other than for which it was furnished, and also not to contract with Government prime Recipients or first-tier subrecipients in such as way as to create an organizational conflict of interest. The AFRL Scholar Program SOW does not include any provision for the Recipient in “writing substantial portions of a SOW or specification” or “evaluating proposals”. As such, a potential OCI(s) does not exist in these areas.

It is the Recipient’s responsibly to ensure compliance with this article with all employees and/or subcontractors.

32. Attachment 2 SOW Section 3.1.1. states, “Scholars will be selected from applicants that have responded to the program announcements.” Will the recipient furnish the program announcements for the internships on the recipients website or on the AFRL Scholars Program website?

As stated in the PRS SOW, paragraph 3.2, 8th bullet “• Provide a website for scholars to apply to AFRL provided topics”

33. Attachment 2 SOW Section 3.1.2 states, "Scholars shall receive weekly stipends based on standard GS-schedule…"Can the stipend be distributed by direct deposit or does it have to be mailed?

It is the Recipient’s choice on how they distribute payments to employees and/or subcontractors.

34. Attachment 3 SOW Referring to 3.1: Will the recipient have to budget the travel for 200 AFRL Scholars?

Reimbursable travel is limited to Scholar travel to and from Maui, Hawaii (PRS SOW paragraph 3.1.2.1), and as requested by the AFRL PRS program manager (PRS SOW paragraph 3.2, 6th bullet).

NOFO-13-RVK-01 Page 10 of 12

Question Government Response

Travel costs will not be used for evaluation purposes as reimbursement of these costs are set by regulation. PRS SOW para 3.1.2.1 “…travel expenses and lodging and meals up to the maximum government authorized per diem amounts (GSA Per Diem Rates -http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/21287).”

35. Attachment 3 SOW Referring to 3.1.3: How long are the scholar assignments at the RD/RV Directorates?

As stated in the PRS SOW paragraph 3.1.3, “All Scholars must work a minimum of 8 weeks but not more than 18 weeks”.

36. Attachment 3 SOW Referring to 3.2: A website to respond to AFRL provided topics

– does the website need to be encrypted?

Does the website need to have a passcode for each scholar and be hosted on a secure network?

The Recipient is required to comply with the Privacy Act of 1974. Amendment #2 (Model Agreement article PRS-3002).

37. Attachment 3 SOW Referring to 3.2: Since the interns will have to pass the security clearances, will the recipient have to do background checks before submitting materials to JPAS?

JPAS is required ONLY for those candidates’ meeting the “eligibility for an interim Secret clearance” criteria as set forth in PRS SOW paragraph 3.3.

38. Attachment 3 SOW Referring to 3.2: Does the recipient have to provide onsite support during summer scholar program and be based onsite or can the support be "on call" and travel to the site per request of the PRS Directorate?

The technical proposal submitted in response to AFRL PRS requirements should address the specifics of the on-site support, as required by the PRS SOW paragraph 3.2, 9th bullet “• Provide onsite support during the summer scholar program to include six weeks prior to the first scholar arrival through two weeks following the last scholar departure at Kirtland Air Force Base”

39. We are a non-profit Private Institution of Higher Education that is currently required to cost faculty time in percent of effort vs. labor hours. For this proposal would you accept the presentation of the cost proposal in percent of effort vs. Labor hours?

NOFO Attachment 5, Det 8 Instructions for Preparing Budgets (Assistance), paragraph 2.a. states that Direct Labor is to list the hours, rates, and calculated amounts for each direct labor category…”. As such, “percent of effort” is not an acceptable method for this cost element, however, itemizing labor costs in person-months or man-years is an acceptable variance to labor hours.

40. How much of the budget is set-aside for the PRS program per year and how much for the AFRL program per year?

The estimated budgets for each AFRL location are shown in the full text announcement, paragraph II.C.

41. The overview information document states that proposers are notified that government intends to utilize various contractors for administrative purposes on the award (page

The service contracts/contractors referred to in the full text announcement, paragraph III.C.3, have separate agreements and are not included in the Anticipated funding/budget as

NOFO-13-RVK-01 Page 11 of 12

Question Government Response 4 first paragraph). How much is the anticipated award ceiling or floor per contractor?

shown in paragraph II.C.

42. Page 7 of the overview information document paragraph 2 has s set number of students contractors should budget for. This set aside number and budget is in contract with the PRS SOW. Page 1 Section 3.1 of the PRS document states that 200 students are to be provided with internships. Please confirm how the PRS technical proposal budget should be written.

The number of students throughout the NOFO are “estimates” only. For your cost proposal, use the number of students and associated scholar stipends as revised by Amendment #1.

43. Is the DLIS certification number required to accompany proposals?

Full text announcement, paragraph III.C.4 states “only proposers who are certified by the Defense Logistics Information Service (DLIS) may submit proposals”. Proposers shall provide evidence of DLIS certification along with their proposal (see Amendment #1).

44. We are asked to submit through grants.gov <http://grants.gov/>, and there is a single solicitation number. That means we can only submit one proposal.

The grants.gov <http://grants.gov/> protocol does not allow for two budgets, or two separate 15-page statement of work attachments.

It is my understanding that grants.gov e-submission process/software does not limit the number of pages uploaded. Submit both technical proposals, in a single document, with a separator page.

And, only one cost proposal is required per Section C "Budget and Schedule" - to address the Phillips Research Site (PRS) requirements at Attachment 3.

45. Since we are a federal agency, do we have to have a DUNS or is that something you can waive?

Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999 (P.L. 106-107) requires the use of a DUNS number on any application for Federal grants or cooperative agreements (68 FR 38402).

46. Should we write the proposal for 200 students or 117 Students? These numbers are both present in the solicitation.

Neither, use the number of students and associated scholar stipends as revised by Amendment #1.

47. Should we include an escalation rate in the Scholars pay (have you typically increased pay regularly?)

No. Section C "Budget and Schedule" - a cost proposal is required to address the Phillips Research Site (PRS) requirements at Attachment 3, which is for the 2013 Scholar program (i.e., 1 year).

48. Does the staff also need to take the security training?

Security Training is required by any employee and/or subcontractor requiring access to the Government computer systems (CAC).

49. Do you still want a second SOW? The SOW's will be essentially the same. If we would offer the same services as laid out in the first

Yes, Section B "Technical Proposals" - two technical proposals are required. The purpose of the Technical Proposals are (1) to address

NOFO-13-RVK-01 Page 12 of 12

Question Government Response proposal, we're wondering what the purpose of the second SOW is. Are we missing something?

the overarching requirements of AFRL-wide program at Attachment 2, and (2) to address the site-specific requirements of the Phillips Research Site (PRS) at Attachment 3.

50. If you still want two proposals: Is it correct to assume that the first SOW is just for Kirtland and the second SOW is for Kirtland and all others?

No, two technical proposals are required –

(1) to address the overarching requirements of AFRL-wide program at Attachment 2, and

(2) to address the site-specific requirements of the Phillips Research Site (PRS) at Attachment 3.

51. Can you clarify the font requirements? Is Times New Roman 11pt acceptable?

Full text announcement, IV(B)(2) states “Select an easy to read font no smaller than 12 pitch fixed or proportional font size 10 or larger.” Times New Roman 11 pt meets the requirement of “proportional font size 10 or larger”.

52. The RFP indicates that the contract would be an IDIQ vehicle. While our institution can and will accept IDIQ terms, will the AFRL consider negotiating other contracts such as cost-reimbursable or fixed-price level of effort contracts?

IDIQ type agreements provide for the issuance of orders for the performance of tasks within the ordering period specified (5 years).

Cooperative Agreements are inherently cost-reimbursement (Model Agreement Article

4.023 “Payment – Reimbursement”)

53. The RFP indicates that the budget should be submitted in an excel format with formulas.

As you may know, grants.gov only accepts PDF format. How do you propose we submit that piece. Same question if we were to send hard copies, in a cd/dvd, or thumb drive?

Attachment 5. “Instructions for Preparing Budgets (Assistance)”, page 5 “Budget Checklist” first item specifically states “EXCEL spreadsheets of all applicable tables, on CD ROM”. Should be submitted separately, by mail.