Questions and Answers RFIOAA-26-00385.pdf

Questions & Answers to RFI OAA-26-00385:

Question 1: What is the target number of households required for the sample, and are there specific geographic distribution requirements (e.g., representation by Census region, Metropolitan Statistical Area, state, or ZIP code)?

The largest possible number of telecommunications household survey responses (including all variables specified in the Statement of Work) covering the US with a zip code specified for each response. For example, responses for 20,000 survey responses will be preferred to 200.

Question 2: Are there minimum response thresholds or statistical representativeness requirements at any demographic or geographic sub-group level (e.g., income tier, age of respondent, geographic region)?

The minimum is met when the Offeror has demonstrated it can provide at least 1 survey response per service/product listed in the Statement of Work per state.

Question 3: Are there specific eligibility or screening criteria for household respondents (e.g., age of respondent, household income range, or requirement that the household subscribe to one or more specific telecom services)?

Specifically, BLS is seeking the largest possible number of features per response (along with all other variables specified in the Statement of Work) covering the US with a zip code specified for each response. For example, 5 features per response will be preferred to 1.

Question 4: The RFI references monthly data files. Is the Government's expectation that the same panel of households is re-contacted and surveyed each month for the full 12-month period (a longitudinal repeated-measures design), or is a fresh cross-sectional sample of households acceptable for each monthly data file?

A cross-sectional sample of households is acceptable. If not delivered as monthly datasets, one year-long dataset that covers all 12 months is required.

Question 5: The RFI requires data "to as high a degree of completion and accuracy as possible." Is there a minimum acceptable item-level completion rate per variable or per respondent record (e.g., 80% field completion per record), and will records with missing values for certain variables be considered unacceptable for delivery?

Responses must cover the geographic standards listed above, indicate the service(s) the respondent receives, and must include the respondent’s monthly spend for said service(s).

Question 6: Will the Government provide a standard survey questionnaire template for vendors to administer, or is the vendor expected to independently design the survey instrument? If vendor-designed, will BLS review and approve the questionnaire prior to the commencement of data collection?

The government does not provide a survey questionnaire template. The BLS will review the questionnaire to ensure that the SOW requirements are met; without an acceptable survey, the data cannot be purchased.

Question 7: To assist vendors in calibrating their proposed approaches and rough order of magnitude pricing, can the Government provide an anticipated budget range or contract ceiling for this effort?

No