Solicitation_Questions_and_Answers.docx

Sol_P15PS01324 Q&A

Q: The requirements listed on p. 10/43, paragraph B.2, for the Project Historian are: a BA and an MA in United States History plus 2 years of graduate study with a concentration in History. Recommended but not required, is a Masters Thesis in History or its equivalent in research and publication. Could a BA in History and an MA in a field related to History, such as Historic Preservation, with a ten year performance history working with the National Park Service to provide historical research and writing for National Park Service produced documents, such as Historic Structure Reports and National Register nominations, be regarded as equivalent and acceptable to meet the requirements for the Project Historian?

A: Yes.

Q: On page 10 of the solicitation under Section B “Personnel Qualifications,” it indicates that the Principal Investigator (PI) must have either a Ph.D. or experience equivalent to a Ph.D. However on Page 11 of the solicitation under Factor 1, Section B “Team,” the qualifications indicate that the PI must have a Ph.D. but makes no provision for equivalent experience. Our intended Principal Investigator has researched, written, and published several books for the Government in accordance with professional and academic standards and we believe this fulfills the equivalent experience described on Page 10. He has an advanced degree, but does not have a Ph.D. in United States History. Is a Ph.D. an absolute requirement, or would he meet your qualifications to serve as the PI on this project?

A: The required degree for the PI is a Ph.D. in United States history.

Q: In the Scope of Work, Paragraph III B 4, “), the contractor will furnish one (1) camera ready Unbound final document printed on archival paper, 100 dry ink digital printed and separately bound copies of the report and a compact computer disk.” What is expected of the 100 printed copies? Are they required to include a vinyl cover, all on archival paper, offset printing or digital printing, type of binding, etc.? What is their ultimate purpose (ie where will they reside once published)?

A: It needs to have a durable cover and perfect binding. Distribution will be to required repositories within the Government, to park partners, historical societies, libraries, and oral history interview candidates.

Q: In the SOW page 4 it states this contract runs for 18 months, but when is the anticipated start date, or date on which the contract expected to be awarded?

A: Prior to October 1, 2015.

Q: Which National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Regional Center supports the Truman NHS? Are there other document repositories that are already affiliated or associated directly with the Truman NHS or similar sites?

A: According to the Scope of Work, records repositories are at park headquarters and the NPS Midwest Regional Office’s Division of Cultural Resources. There is no need to consult any NARA regional center.

Q: Reference payment for work completed. Does the government have a standard or requirement for the basis for monthly invoicing? (e.g., Percentage of hours worked compared to total forecast, percentage of final products deliverables completed compared to forecasted work? Actual final products completed and percentage of total anticipated documents?).

A: The Government is requesting billing after travel and each required submittal.

Q: FAR 52.2121 page 10 Factor 1(B), Qualifications of Personnel, a U.S. history degree at the PhD for the Principle Investigator and Masters or Bachelors for the Project Historians is required. Do degrees in studies such as American Economic History, the History of the American Southwest, American Diplomatic History, or Historic Geography of the United States qualify? Would a degree in Military History, Anthropology, or Ethnography also qualify? Confirm whether a Ph.D. in History meets the requirement.

A: The required degree for the PI is a Ph.D. in United States History.

Q: SF1446 states that Mr. Nicholas Murray is to whom the bid should be sent. Is there a second person we may contract if Mr. Murray is not available?

A: Contracting Officer Tonya Bradley (tonya_bradley@nps.gov) can be copied on messages to Nicholas, however, proposal shall only be sent to Nicholas Murray as stated on the SF1449. Also note, deadline for questions was June 5.

Q: Are there similar bids that the NPS has put out previously that you can recommend as a reference to review? (by contract number) A: NPS has done similar projects however, each project is unique. I do not have the contract numbers available to provide.

Q: SOW page 5, what is the anticipated length of the final report?

A: More than 200 pages including appendices and index.

Q: FAR 52.2121 1.1 (e) (2) page 9, “the maximum page limitation for the technical proposal is 40 pages (excluding table of contents, tabs, and additional sheets that do not provide information related to the evaluation factors).” Does the 40 page count include all of Sections 1, 2, and 3, or just Section 1, Technical Capability? Are the resumes part of the 40 page limit?

A: The 40page count does include all of Sections 1, 2, and 3, or just Section 1, Technical Capability, and resumes are part of the 40 page limit.

Q: The Scope of Work (SOW), Section II DESCRIPTION OF THE RESOURCES lists seven (7) elements (deliverables) of the completed study: A. Introduction – Description; B. Comprehensive Legislative History; C. Description and Analysis of Development and Administration of the Park; D. Oral History Interviews; E. Bibliography of Source Materials; F. Appendices; and G. Preliminary Draft of the Administrative History. Please confirm that the “study” in paragraph 2 of page 4 (“The completed study will include the following elements:”) is that synonymous with “Administrative History”? If so, then confirm that G. Preliminary Draft is not an element of the final product but instead an interim version of the Administrative History, or elements A – F.

A: G is a provision for draft review documents which lead to the final product (Administrative History) that once approved by the COR will then have an Index prepared prior to publication.

Q: Also confirm that the deadlines for requirements in SOW elements C and D apply only to that requirement/element where the deadline is found; the requirement in B specifically notes inclusion of elements A & B A: Confirmed.

Q: Is the “preliminary draft of the Administrative History” in SOW Section II.G the same requirement as the “Five (5) copies of the draft report” in Section III.B.3?

A: Yes.

Q: Are “days” in SOW deadlines calendar days, business days, or Federal calendar work days?

A: Calendar days.

Q: The Solicitation document in 52.2122 Evaluation Commercial Items includes discussion of the value of “key personnel” in the evaluation procedures. Is there specific guidance about the identification of key personnel, either by role or by specific person?

A: Composition of the key personnel team is the responsibility of the vendor in accomplishing the solicitation.

Q: Do oral history interviews exist with people who knew the Truman family and the workings of the farm?

A: Yes.

Q: Does the government have a list of “core questions” they want included in the oral interviews, or is this up to the contractor to develop? If so, is there a COR review process for the questions prior to finalizing them for the oral interviews?

A: This would be a subject to discuss at the contract post-award meeting.

Q: Interviewees have a month to return interview transcripts with desired edits. Who will ensure that the interviewees meet this deadline?

A: It is the contractor’s responsibility.

Q: Are there any interviews of the Truman family contemplated?

A: No, all 11 interviewees identified are current or former National Park Service employees.

Q: Reference SOW E (Bibliography of source materials…): Is there any expectation that the contractor will be collecting documents for the bibliography from the interviewees?

A: No.

Q: Reference SOW B (Report Standards).5: “…All recordings, transcripts, interview rights release forms, photographs, and memoranda of telephone calls will be transmitted to the National Park Service with the final document.” How many copies and in what format should these be submitted? Is there a print standard, or an electronic format? Is there a standard for documenting telephone calls? Are there other completed interviews that set a standard that the NPS would like to follow?

A: One original copy. No. No. No.

Q: Does the government expect that there will be simply audio oral interviews? Is video included? Does the government have a preferred interview location? If so, does this have a sound studio?

A: Yes. No. No.

Q: Is there a requirement for Institutional Review Board (IRB) certification?

A: No.

Q: Does the government assume that the interviewees will provide input but that the contractor will do the editing of transcripts?

A: Yes.

Q: Does the government want a biographical sheet on each interviewee? What other oral history documents are desired besides a photo, legal agreement, and transcript?

A: A biographical sheet on each interviewee would be appropriate along with the other specified elements.

Q: Do any products require an index?

A: An index for each transcript would be appropriate.

Q: Will the government use Oral History Association standards of practice?

A: The contractor will use OHA professional standards.

Q: What procedures are available if an interviewee declines, dies, or becomes incapacitated? Will the government substitute other interviewees?

A: Another interview candidate will be identified.

Q: If interviewees decline to sign the deed of gift, what procedures will be followed? What are the contractor and government responsibilities in this case?

A: Before each interview is scheduled, the contractor will ensure that each candidate is comfortable being interviewed and signed the deed of gift form.

Q: Are there any specific plans for the interviews beyond archival and research uses? Will interview quotes be used in future documentaries, or interactive elements at the historic site?

A: No. Perhaps.

Q: What is the expected size of the final administrative history, in terms of total page count? 128 pages, 144, 160, or more? This is important to know in order to calculate an accurate perfect bound printing cost.

A: We anticipate a comprehensive Administrative History to be 200 pages or more in length.

Q: How many maps or photographic illustrations will be required? Full color or Black & White/Greyscale?

A: We anticipate less than 5 maps and not less than 30 color photographs most of which will either be contemporary or post-date 1982.

Q: On page 4 of the Scope of Work, six of the eleven oral history interviews are listed as residing in either the Kansas City or St. Louis areas. The remaining five live in five different states. Since interviewee availability and travel expenses fluctuate, it is very difficult to calculate travel fees in advance of a contract award. Can a modification be issued that treats travel as a separate billable item from the overall price quote, with COTR preauthorization for each trip?

A: No, sufficient travel costs should be built-in to the cost proposal.

Q: On Page 10, item 3 (“A preliminary draft for National Park service review….) seems to be out of place since it is describing the final deliverable and not a component of the proposal.

A: In this instance, “preliminary draft” accounts for the introduction and legislative history chapters which will be submitted in advance of the NPS review of all the remaining chapters.

Q: Is a Past Performance Questionnaire required for this submission?

A: No. Reference page 12 of 43, FACTOR 2: Past Performance for requirements for this evaluation factor.