Questions_and_Responses_Amend_4.xlsx
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- RFP-CMS-2015-8A-NSTP
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Questions and Responses Amendment 4
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| RFP-CMS-2015-8A-NSTP - Amendment 4 | ||||||
| Number | Task Order # | SOW/SOD | Section No. | Section/Title | Question | CMS Response |
| 1 | General | I.B | Past Performance | It is unclear from the instructions whether the past performance portion of the proposal should include just a listing of contracts with the requested contract information or also include an in-depth narrative discussion of relevant contracts that are included on the list. Please clarify. | Please provide a listing of contracts, with a summary narrative. | |
| 2 | General | Proposal Instructions | Page 2 states, in part: “Graphs and tables shall be no less than 10 point font …” However, page 3 states, in part: “Type font should be no smaller than Times New Roman 12 point …” Can graphs and tables be no less than 10 point font? | Graphs and Tables can be 10 pt font. All other must be 12 pt font. | ||
| 3 | General | Proposal Instructions | Instructions state “The business proposal should be prepared for the period of performance identified in this TORP.” However, no period of performance has been provided. Can CMS provide the period of performance for this Task Order? | This task order has a 1 year base with 4 option years. Period of Performance will begin at time of task order award. | ||
| 4 | General | Proposal Instructions | The questions are due to CMS by May 6, 2015 for Task Order 0002. Is there an estimated timeframe on when the responses to the questions will be available? | Questions will be posted as soon as they are complete. | ||
| 5 | General | Vol I and III | Past Performance Summary List and Summary List of Contracts | Please confirm that only new contracts and task orders not previously submitted in response to the IDIQ and Task Order 0001 should be included in those lists and if no new ones apply, vendors may simply make that statement wherever applicable. | For Volume I, the past performance summary list will need to include all past performance relevant to the specific task order. There may be a different panel reviewing different task orders and they need to see information relevant to that task order. For Volume III, the proposal instructions indicate that only information that differs from the IDIQ submission shall be included. | |
| 6 | General | Vol III Tab B COI, Tab C, Sec L and M | The IDIQ and Task Order 0001 solicitation documents were revised to reflect that all references to Compliance Plan including J.7 Attestation Form be changed to reflect Code of Ethics. Task Orders 0002 – 0005 were not revised to reflect those changes. Please advise if vendors should respond to the Section H, L, and M criteria laid out for Task Order 0001 response and if the Tasks 2-5 will be updated to reflect those same revisions. | These changes were made in Amendment 2. Please see Amendment 2 revised J attachments. | ||
| 7 | General | Past Performance | Given that the scope is similar to that of TO 01, it is likely that the offeror will use many or all of the same past performance references as we did for the IDIQ and TO 01. We have already submitted past performance questionnaires (PPQs), 2 from each reference, to support the IDIQ and TO 01 responses. If the same references are used in TO 03, can the previously submitted PPQs be applied to this task, so that we do not need to place additional burden on our references to repeatedly complete and submit identical PPQs? | Indicate in cover letter and email that PPQs have already been submitted and would like to use them for the task order being proposed. Be specific as to which PPQs will be used for each submission, including (but not limited to) who submitted it and the title of the contract. | ||
| 8 | General | Proposal Due Date | Is CMS expecting the electronic (CD) copies for Volume I and Volume II to be separated? That is, 5 CD copies for Volume I and 5 CD copies for Volume II? | Yes | ||
| 9 | General | Proposal Due Date | CMS instructs (in Section III of Attachment J.4-A) that if there is no additional COI information beyond what was submitted for the IDIQ, the offeror creates a COI volume, but simply states under each tab to refer back to the base COI submission. If this is the case, does CMS still desire the specified 3 CD copies of Volume III (which will contain no new information, but a referral back to the IDIQ submission)? | Yes for file documentation purposes. | ||
| 10 | General | Is it possible the same contractor that is awarded Task Order 0001 can be awarded Task Order 0004? | Yes | |||
| 11 | TO0002 | SOD | Submit a management plan | Please confirm the management plan in task 4 is the same plan referenced in the C.3.4 of the Task Order 0002 SOW. | The plans have some overlap but are separate task requirements. | |
| 12 | TO0002 | SOW | C.3 | General Requirements and Tasks 2, 11, 12 | Please indicate which sessions will use the ARS/SRS. | The following sessions will currently use the ARS/SRS: BLSC, BLTC, BLTC QIS, ESRD, EMTALA, SETI, SADOC, TCT,QIES, OASIS |
| 13 | TO0002 | SOW | C.3 | Tasks | Item 1 refers to "...updates to the training schedule..." Will changes to the training schedule during contract performance constitute grounds for renegotiating price or must the contractor take on all risk for additional trainings? | If there are changes to the training schedule and there are performance and monetary affect, those actions will be renegotiation as necessary. We anticipate that additions would be balanced with subtractions. We try to keep the number of Mods to a minimum. |
| 14 | TO0002 | SOW | C.3 | Tasks 1 | Please share the estimated number of attendees for each meeting listed on the TS. | It varies by class reenrollment. Often classes range from 40 - 150 students. |
| 15 | TO0002 | SOW | C.3 | Tasks 10, 11, 12 | Please share the number of sessions / breakouts in each location listed on the TS. | Breakout sessions vary by course. Some have none to SETI has up to six which is the highest. |
| 16 | TO0002 | SOW | C.3 | Tasks 11 | Please indicate which sessions will be videotaped. | We will video tape portions of the next SETI. |
| 17 | TO0002 | SOW | C.3 | Tasks 11 | Is there a preferred city or cities and venues for the week of December 1, 2015? How many days of training are anticipated? How many students are other participants are anticipated? How many ‘classes’ will be held simultaneously, requiring multiple room set-ups? | Currently (and the schedule changes fast) there are no face-to-face training in the month of December 2015 for now. But we will have 4 trainings in November 2015. For the ESRD and STAR trainings in November, Minneapolis, MN is the preferred city. Basic Long Term Care (QIS) and Basic Long Term Care Traditional ,Baltimore, MD is the preferred city. The month of November should be emphasized. The current contract expires the end of October. Again, thus far there are no offering in the month of December 2015 that are face-to-face needing hotel services. |
Days of Training ESRD – 4 days, STAR – 3 ½ days, BLTC QIS – 5 days BLTC traditional – 5 days
November, Number of Students ESRD – 50, STAR – 30, QIS – 60, BLTC Traditional – 60
The only classes that will required multiple set-up is QIS and BLTC Traditional. Both training are held the same week, same hotel.
| 18 | TO0002 | SOW | C.3 | Tasks 11 | Is the latest/revised Survey and Certification FY 2014 Training and Coordinator Class Assignment Schedule (Training Schedule (TS)) available for review? | The latest Training Schedule is included with this Amendment for your reference. |
| 19 | TO0002 | SOW | C.3 | Tasks 4, p. 2 | On task description #4, the opening sentence(s) appear to be missing. Please provide the complete task description | We are unable to find what looks like a missing sentence in that area. |
| 20 | TO0002 | SOW | C.3.11 | Tasks - Delivery of Audio/Visual Equipment and Services | This task references the 2015 training schedule here, but Task 2 referenced the 2014 schedule. Will you be looking for the 2015 schedule? | The most current Training Schedule is what is used, it is a living document. |
| 21 | TO0002 | SOW | C.3.2 | Tasks - Survey and Certification FY2014 Training and Coordinator Class Assignment Schedule | The schedule for 2014 is listed, but we are currently working in 2015, with more costs with 2015, than in 2014. Can you confirm the schedule year? | The most current Training Schedule is what is used, it is a living document. |
| 22 | TO0002 | SOW | C.3.4 | The sentences starts with “within five calendar days after contract award date.” Can you identify what type of plan the contractor shall provide and if it is in draft or final form? | A logistics work plan based on the training schedule that reflects an understanding of what is required. | |
| 23 | TO0002 | SOW | C.3.8 | Tasks - Training Development and Production | Is this referencing the technician training or the loading of questions into the ARS? | The loading and configuring of questions into the ARS |
| 24 | TO0002 | General | Can they provide a show schedule? This will help us provide a more accurate LOE. | Unclear on a "show schedule". The latest Training Schedule is included with this Amendment for your reference. | ||
| 25 | TO0002 | General | Do you have an estimate or range how many attendees per training session? This will also help us provide a more accurate LOE. | It varies by class reenrollment, often classes range from 40 - 150 students. | ||
| 26 | TO0002 | General | Will every session use the SRS/ARS system? The SOW seems to contradict itself here. | The following sessions currently use the ARS/SRS: BLSC, BLTC, BLTC QIS, ESRD, EMTALA, SETI, SADOC, TCT, QIES, and OASIS. Please add on ad-hoc course as a contingency | ||
| 27 | TO0002 | I.A | Technical Approach | The instructions for what to include in the Technical Approach discussion is the same for all task orders, including Task Order 0002 which is limited to tasks related to audio/visual services. The instructions say that the discussion of the technical approach to providing audio/visual services should include such things as “demonstrate [the offeror’s] understanding of and ability to provide instructional development, support and field instructors, website management and maintenance, training support and editorial services.” Please confirm whether the technical approach discussion should include all of these topics or focus the discussion on audio/visual services. | Please focus the discussion on audio/visual services. | |
| 28 | TO0002 | II | II. A to II. I - Business Proposal Format (p. 6) | For the cost basis of the Audio Visual Support requirements, could you please provide a draft course schedule from which we might base costing or do you prefer for the purposes of this review to receive ODC line item costing and hourly rates only for the proposed labor categories? Total labor hours costing as well as equipment required, length of course and location (for travel) would be determined by the course schedule. | Please submit ODC line item costing and hourly rates only for the proposed labor categories. | |
| 29 | TO0002 | Proposal Instructions | Proposal Due Date | On page 2, reference is made to the number of pages of the Technical Proposal to be “… limited to 60 single sided pages…” while on page 3, “…. No more than sixty (30) single spaced pages”. Please confirm the number of pages for the Technical Proposal and if it should be single-spaced. | 30 double sided pages single spaced or 60 singe sided single spaced. | |
| 30 | TO0003 | General | Chapter 2 | What is the current format (HTML, SCORM, Articulate, Captivate) for the Hospital Basic Training Online Course files? | Either Blackboard native format or Captivate | |
| 31 | TO0003 | General | Chapter 2 | Where is the Hospital Basic Training Course currently housed? Is this in the SumTotal LMS? | Blackboard | |
| 32 | TO0003 | General | I.B, p. 4 | Past Performance | If an Offeror plans to provide the same J.6 documented past performances for TO 0003 originally submitted with the IDIQ and TO 0001 responses, is the Offeror required to provide a new J.6 Past Performance Questionnaire with the TO 0003 response? | The same past performance can be used but should follow stated directions to ensure this documentation is included with each TO proposal. |
Also, see response to Question 7.
| 33 | TO0003 | SOW | 1.B | Purpose, p. 5 | What is CMS’ process for approving instructional designers and developers? | We do not approve instructional designers, for developers that are content experts we prefer to suggest those acknowledged as outstanding in their field. |
| 34 | TO0003 | SOW | Chapter 2 | Task 1a(8) Advanced Training for Hospital Surveyors | “Following Hospital Basic Training course completion, work with DACS to conduct ISD to present 2-3 webinars on targeted issues where there either are a lot of new changes, or areas of weaknesses among the SAs.” Is the contractor responsible for presentation/delivery of the 2-3 webinars? | Yes |
| 35 | TO0003 | SOW | Chapter 2 | Tasks | To enable us to accurately estimate the level of effort, for all courses listed in this section, please provide current seat times for all existing courses, and projected seat times for all courses planned for development. | Here is a sample of current hospital instructor contract hours by current averages there will be some variance: Fundamentals of Patient Safety in Hospitals Online Course,29.4 hrs |
Live Webinar: Basic Hospital, 32.5 Hrs Basic Hospital Surveyor Training,32.5 HRs. A list of adverage course hours attached to this Amendement for your reference.
| 36 | TO0003 | SOW | Task 1a (1.1) and Task 1a (3) | Hospital Surveyor Training Curriculum Design Plan and Hospital Surveyor Training Curriculum Map respectively (p. 10) | We have found the Hospital Surveyor Training Curriculum Map (Task 1a (3)) at http://surveyortraining.cms.hhs.gov/Preceptor/PManual/Hospital/Preceptor/Curriculum-Map/Hosp-Curric-Map.pdf. Where can we find the “existing Hospital Surveyor Training Curriculum Design Plan (Task 1a (1.1))? | Upon award of this Task Order the COR will provide you with further directions on this task. |
| 37 | TO0003 | SOW | Task 1a (4) | Pre-requisite Courses (p. 10) | Task 1a (4) list two (2) required pre-requisites courses – non-LTC versions. However, the subtasks (4.1a, 4.1b, 4.2a, and 4.2b) equal four (4) required pre-requisite courses – non-LTC and LTC. We note that the LTC versions of the BHFS Introduction to Surveying and Principles of Documentation are not presented in the Hospital Surveyor Training Curriculum Map at http://surveyortraining.cms.hhs.gov/Preceptor/PManual/Hospital/Preceptor/Curriculum-Map/Hosp-Curric-Map.pdf. Are Hospital surveyors required to take the LTC versions of the BHFS Introduction to Surveying and Principles of Documentation? | Not unless they also perfrom LTC surveys |
| 38 | TO0003 | SOW | Task 1a (6), page 14 | In the first bullet, it says to develop training aids and guidance. How many training aids are expected and is there a preferred format for the guidance? | The ISD process is R&D so it depends on the complexity of the performance gap relative to the target populations knowledge, skills and abilities | |
| 39 | TO0003 | SOW | Task 1a (6), page 14 | In the second bullet, it states “Provide course Hospital Basic online course content to Preceptor Manual development team”, was that a typo? If not, can some clarification be provided on what this entails? What format is the content supposed to be in? | Per direction of the Task Order COR provide Hospital Basic online course content to a designated point of contact. | |
| 40 | TO0003 | Chapter 2 | General Requirements - Tasks | There is quite a bit of overlap within the Task Orders. Will CMS explain or clarify how often and what percentage of time we can anticipate F2F activities going on simultaneously? | Yes some task orders used to be integrated. The details are quite extensive and dynamic. The development work has the least overlap. | |
| 41 | TO0003 | I.C, p. 5 | Staffing | The estimated level of effort for the Technical Writer/Subject Matter Expert is only 0.2 FTE. Should we assume that CMS will be providing additional Subject Matter Experts through the contractor awarded TO 0004 for instructor support? | There is very little SME development work in the Instructor Support contract. | |
| 42 | TO0003 | Instructions and Evaluation Criteria | Management Plan and Corporate Capacity | Is CMS expecting a detailed work plan for all Task? If so can we include this in the appendix? | For work plans, an outline of a work plan with some details on structure and framework, would help us understand how you plan this type work. This needs to be included in your page count. | |
| 43 | TO0003 | Proposal Instructions | Staffing | Estimated Levels of Effort (LOEs) are provided for every staffing function except for Quality Assurance Specialists. Can CMS provide an estimated LOE for this function as well? | For each TO a respective SME with a quality assurance background is equivalent to a Quality Assurance Specialists. In the context of training an Instructional Designer with a strong quality assurance background is equivalent to a Quality Assurance Specialists. In other words, the Quality Assurance Specialist role is expected to be absorbed in to another role, if possible. | |
| 44 | TO0003 | Sec. II | Business Proposal - ODC | Is CMS expecting the costs for the LMS licenses and Blackboard to be included in the Business Proposal for other related tasks orders (i.e. Task Order 0003, task order 0004)? If no, how will those costs be considered? | Include costs required for a specific task order in that task order business proposal. LMS licenses are not part of this IDIQ. Blackboard licenses are not included in the current Task Orders. | |
| 45 | TO0004 | SOD | Chapter 3 | Although the Task Order Statement of Work for Task Order 0004, item n, page 13 requires the contractor to provide SME instruction support for one offering of the State Agency Directors Orientation Course, the requirement is not in Attachment J.4-C SOD. Please clarify if the course should be part of the deliverable schedule. | Updated SOD is provided as an attachment to this Amendment. | |
| 46 | TO0004 | SOD | Chapter 3 | The statement of work lists SADOC, which is not included in the schedule of deliverables. Please clarify the discrepancy. | Updated SOD is provided as an attachment to this Amendment. | |
| 47 | TO0004 | SOW | 1.A | Background | Will the contractor serve as an administrator on the SumTotal Learning Management System (LMS)? | No, there is an entirely different team what performs that work. This LMS work is user and instructor data entry. |
| 48 | TO0004 | SOW | 3.f | Basic Life Safety Code Course Blackboard | Will the contractor serve as an administrator on the Blackboard LMS? | No we do not use the LMS portion of the Blackboard service. |
| 49 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3 | ASPEN Training for Regional Office Staff | How many offerings of this course are required? | In 2014 there was 6 offerings of ASPEN 101/102 TECHNICAL TRAINING. Our course offerings change based on demand and other factors. |
| 50 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3 | Assist with the credentialing and participation in the training of instructors to support CMS | "Unless otherwise defined below Instructors may require up to 20 hours (total per instructor) for instructor preparation/course review, answering student questions and completing evaluations independent of course and travel time.” Is this requirement to be applied to all of the courses listed in Chapter 3? Meaning that contractors should include an additional 20 hours x 18 courses x # of instructors per course, just for instructor preparation/course review? | Courses that are taught often and are stable usually need much less prep time. 20 hour is on the high side but does happen. |
| 51 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3 | Basic Life Safety Code Course - BLSCC Traditional | How many offerings of this course are required? | Typically one offering, but high demand could evoke the need for more. |
| 52 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3 | Basic Life Safety Code Course (BLSCC) Blackboard | “Grade assignments and provide feedback to student on assignments. This is expected to take 1-2 hours per student.” How many students are anticipated for this course? | Typically we have up to fifteen students for this course. |
| 53 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3 | Basic Long Term Care Traditional Course - Magnet Area Training - California | How many instructors will the contractor be required to provide for this course? | Can vary by what support the CA can provide and the number of students. Typically send at least one, the max sent three. |
| 54 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3 | Basic Long Term Care Traditional Course - Magnet Area Training - Texas | “Conduct up to three iterations… Provide up to two instructors for two classes…” Please clarify whether there will be three iterations/classes, or two iterations/classes offered. | The number of offerings varies by demand. The current average is close to 2.5 offerings. |
| 55 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3 | BLSCC Blackboard (f) | Grading Assignments and providing feedback to students is expected to take 1-2 hours per student. Can CMS confirm that this level of effort is over the span of the entire course (6 weeks)? | Yes feedback and grading for the entire course offering (not including other contact hours) |
| 56 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3 | BLSCC Traditional (g) | Can CMS supply an expected number of students for this class? | Typical number of students for BLSCC Traditional is 40 |
| 57 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3 | BLTC QIS | CMS indicates that "currently all instructors are federal employees." Is it CMS' intent that federal employees no longer act as instructors for this course and will be fully replaced with contractor instructors? | No, but we it would be highly desirable to have contract QIS instructors for the BLTCC QIS |
| 58 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3 | BLTC QIS | CMS specifies that classes under 60 students require up to 4 instructors and classes over 60 students require up to 6 instructors. Can CMS provide an overview of why so many instructors are needed and the roles of each? | Over 60 the class in split into to different rooms with parallel activities in each. |
| 59 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3 | Courseware Maintenance (p) | CMS describes this work for the Basic Instructor Course and ASPEN training. Under subsequent sections (r) and (s), CMS also lists a task to provide courseware maintenance. Are these identical tasks (e.g., there is only one task for courseware maintenance for each of the two trainings)? | Courseware Maintenance is performed on all courses in this task order after pilot. |
| 60 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3 | ESRD, STAR, etc (o) | CMS indicates that this contract will support one hour per day to record observations and recommendations. We are assuming this one hour per day is in addition the hours spent observing/attending the courses. Can CMS confirm? | Yes this is in addition to regular instructor contact hours |
| 61 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3 | Fire Safety Evaluation System - Board and Care Facilities | What is the length of this course? | FSES-BC is three days |
| 62 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3 | FSES-HC (h) | This class is held for 3 days and usually has about 30 students. Can CMS provide additional clarification of roles and responsibilities that would require 3 instructors? | Each instructor will instruct different sections of the course and work with students |
| 63 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3 | HHA Course (l) | CMS describes this as a web-based training course that lasts 5 days. Is the course offered via webinar-based instruction vs. self-directed WBT modules? What is the role of the instructor? | The revised HHA course is webinar based, roughly 6 hours per day, for 5 days, with a max of 55 students. The instructors still instruct and interact with the students via webinar technology. |
| 64 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3 | i. Fire Safety Evaluation System – Board and Care Facilities | How many days in length is each offering of FSES-BC? | FSES-BC is three days |
| 65 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3 | MAT (c,d,e) | Can CMS clarify the roles and responsibilities of the contractor/contract instructors? MAT is described as being hosted by the states, with states providing instructors; yet, the SOW indicates the contractor should "conduct" the training (including creation of the agenda). There are also stated responsibilities "when the CMS Program Lead is not attending." Is there an estimated level of effort or required number of SMEs/Instructors to attend? | The State volenteer instructors are not always available to instruct a course. So we have to be postured to have contract personnel help out or in rare instances handle the course. In the past the contract instructor attended to ensure the content was presented IAW the SOM. |
| 66 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3 | s. ASPEN Training for Regional Office Staff | How often is this course offered each year? | Six times, ASPEN Technical Basic Training Session 1 & 2 & ASPEN Advanced Training Session 3, 4, 5, & 6 each two days long |
| 67 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3 | s. ASPEN Training for Regional Office Staff | How many days in length is each offering of FSES-BC? | FSES-BC is three days and all ASPEN offerings are two days each |
| 68 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3 | Section d) Basic Long Term Care Traditional Course - Magnet Area Training - Texas (BLTC MAT – TX), pages 7-8 | On page 8 in the first bullet, the requirement is "Conduct up to three iterations of the BLTCC MAT in Texas." On page 8 in the second bullet, the requirement is "Provide up to two instructors for two classes held for five days each." How many iterations/classes will be required? | At least two, there is a contingency that demand could be higher and another offering could be required. |
| 69 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3 | Section e) Basic Long Term Care Course - Quality Indicator Surveyor–Magnet Area Training Florida (BLTC QIS MAT FL), pages 8-9 | On page 8 in the first bullet, the requirement is "Conduct up to three iterations of the BLTCC QIS MAT FL in Florida." On page 9 in the first bullet, the requirement is "Provide up to two instructors for two classes held for five days each." How many iterations/classes will be required? | At least two, there is a contingency that demand could be higher and another offering could be required. |
| 70 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3 | Two Training Facilitators (k) | We understand facilitators will work onsite at CMS. Is CMS expecting facilitators to be onsite full-time? Can these positions be filled by more than two people (e.g., four .5FTEs, etc.)? | Facilitators work at CMS full time but also provide support at training events across the country. It may be challenging to split the work up. |
| 71 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3 | It is not clear as to how many instructors the Offerror will need to supply. In some cases, the mention of “federal instructors” is made in the specifics for each course. Are there instructors available that are currently teaching the classes? | In a few courses either federal or contract instructors instruct the course. I cannot speak for the current contract instructors but would suspect many would be interested in continuing with this work. | |
| 72 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3 | Page 6 specifies that the offeror should expect that contract instructors may be engaged by other contractors to serve as SMEs for CMS-sponsored projects. Can CMS provide an estimated Level of Effort for this activity? | In a few courses either federal or contract instructors instruct the course. I cannot speak for the current contract instructors but would suspect many would be interested in continuing with this work. | |
| 73 | TO0004 | SOW | Chapter 3.t | Chapter 3) Instructor Support – t) AV Support (p. 17) | AV support is also listed as a full separate contract for Task Order 0002. Can you confirm that the offeror is to provide AV support (if applicable) for this requirement? If so, does CMS have any preferred recommendations for partial support? | In a few courses either federal or contract instructors instruct the course. I cannot speak for the current contract instructors but would suspect many would be interested in continuing with this work. |
| 74 | TO0004 | SOW | The Statement of Work for Task Order 4 indicates that full A/V support may not be needed for certain courses. In these instances, the Instructor Support contractor (rather than the A/V support contractor) may supply A/V support at the request of the COR. Given that 1) all contractors awarded the NSTP IDIQ must have demonstrated ability to provide A/V support and 2) Task Order 2 (A/V Support) infers a small amount of FTE effort, would CMS consider combining Tasks 2 and Task 4 to gain efficiencies for CMS administratively and so that one contractor has full responsibility for providing support for instruction? | No the skills and specialization are different enough to make it separate tasks. In rare instances such as a MAT class hosted by a MAT State needs a digital projector which this contract instructor would bring, set up and use. There is no need for a full AV contractor. | ||
| 75 | TO0004 | Chapter 1, 1.B | Purpose | It is stated that this contract does not support any instructional design effort, however in Chapter 3, Section p) Courseware Maintenance, page 15, the requirement is to determine and correct interrelated impacts that any change can make to training materials, including content, editorial, hosting, graphic, instructional design. Please clarify if the contractor awarded Task Order 0004, will be responsible for providing instructional design. | No, instructional design work is not required for this task order, except for the Faculty Development Program (FDP) Basic Instructor Course or some other small actions from the COR . This is rather small level of effort not a lot of ISD. | |
| 76 | TO0004 | I.B, p.4 | Past Performance | If an Offeror plans to provide the same J.6 documented past performances for TO 0004 originally submitted with the IDIQ and TO 0001 responses, is the Offeror required to provide a new J.6 Past Performance Questionnaire with the TO 0004 response? | The same past performance can be used but should follow stated directions to ensure this documentation is included with each TO proposal. Different personnel may makeup different review panels. | |
| 77 | TO0004 | Proposal Instructions | The list of topics to be addressed and the criteria for evaluation of the technical approach, lists items that are unrelated to the scope of Task Order 4. For example, understanding of ISD is listed, whereas it clearly states in the SOW that “Unless stated otherwise, there is no instructional design supported by this contract.” There are similar issues with the requirements for “Knowledge and technical understanding of the provision of a very large media-rich federal training website and linking to a learning management system”, and other requirements listed as well. Please clarify the discrepancy between the instructions/evaluation criteria, and the requirements listed in the SOW. | CMS will evaluate these proposals with a focus on the respective area per the task orders specifications. | ||
| 78 | TO0004 | Proposal Instructions | Both of these sections contain identical language regarding what should be covered and the basis on which the technical approach will be evaluated. The scope of this task order is primarily instructor support with no major Instructional Systems Design tasks; however, attachment J.4-A instructs the offeror to include the demonstration of "Technical understanding of Instructional Systems Design (ISD) for development and evaluation of traditional blended and distance learning courses with integration of LEAN methodologies” and also indicates the technical approach will be evaluated on this knowledge and understanding. These topics were included in the base IDIQ technical proposal. Can CMS confirm this topic should also be addressed in Task Order 4's technical approach and that Task Order 4 proposals will be evaluated accordingly? If so, would CMS clarify the relationship of this to the required tasks? | CMS will evaluate these proposals with a focus on the respective area per the task orders specifications. Some could argue that ISD is inherently LEAN. Place emphasis on the intent of the task order. | ||
| 79 | TO0004 | Vol I | Past Performance and Management Plan | Please confirm if proposed key personnel directly related experience, past performance, and expertise may be used in the past performance, technical, and management plan organizational structure for this task order to show capability and ability to perform. | Yes | |
| 80 | TO0004 | General Requirements | General requirements state, to the effect, that all instructional design work will be based on the standard steps and process of ISD and that the offeror must ensure an ISD audit trail exists so that should a Designer be unavailable, another can keep the project on track. The SOW states, “These ISD steps must be documented and provided to CMS per major development or major revision effort.” All offerors addressed this requirement in their IDIQ Technical Proposal. Can CMS clarify how this general requirement relates to this task order since there is no task for a "major development or major revision" effort so that it can be addressed appropriately in the Task Order 4 technical proposal? | No, instructional design work is not required for this task order, except for the Faculty Development Program (FDP) Basic Instructor Course or some other small actions from the COR. | ||
| 81 | TO0004 | General Requirements | CMS specifies that instructors must follow the CMS Faculty Development Program standards for presenting materials. Can CMS supply these standards? | Upon award the COR will provide GFM. | ||
| 82 | TO0005 | SOW | 1.1 | Additional Services Required | May the Offeror assume the Room Registration website need can be met by using the hotel’s registration website or does the site need to be developed? | The current vendor has a website (that they developed) that links to the respective hotels. We are concerned with receiving the service. |
| 83 | TO0005 | SOW | 1.1 | Additional Services Required | If the Rooml Registration website is to be built, is it to be hosted by the Offerror? | Currently it is. It may be logical for you to build and host but we are focused on the results to provide this service. |
| 84 | TO0005 | SOW | 1.1 | Additional Services Required | Must the Hotel Registration website development follow the CMS SDLC and XLC? | Currently use vendor site, not CMS specs |
| 85 | TO0005 | SOW | 1.1 | Additional Services Required | Is the expectation that hotel registration process will be integrated into the LMS course registration process or is a link from the LMS for course registration to the site for hotel room registration sufficient? | There is a hyperlink from the LMS to the hotel registration site. That is the only communication between these systems. |
| 86 | TO0005 | SOW | 1.1 | The document states: “SCG/TT regularly utilizes 19 or more hotels across the country…” Will we have access to these existing hotels and contracts? | You will have to establish access and will need new contracts with these hotels. | |
| 87 | TO0005 | SOW | 2 | Tasks 2.3 | Is there an anticipated contract award date and date for the first scheduled training? | Upon award the COR will work with you on transition and getting postured to handle this work. |
| 88 | TO0005 | SOW | 2 | Tasks 2.3 | Is the most recent Training Schedule “Amendment 1, FY2015_Training_Schedule_Amend_1” as posted on FedBizOps? | No, the Training Schedule is updated periodically and a living document. |
| 89 | TO0005 | SOW | 2 | Tasks 2.3 | Is the 2015 Training Schedule expected to be similar to the 2014 Training Schedule? If so will CMS provide a copy of the actual 2014 Training Schedule? | Yes, we are providing the most current schedule as an attachment to this Amendment. |
| 90 | TO0005 | SOW | 2 | Tasks 2.3 | Is the FY2016 Training Schedule expected to be similar to the FY2015 Training Schedule? | It is assumed the FY2016 Training Schedule will be an continued evolution of this schedule. Many items will be the same but location, dates, and sometime the number of offering. Also new courses are sometimes added. |
| 91 | TO0005 | SOW | 2.1 | There is a reference to a standard hotel template-contract. Is this template available for review? | The COR can provide example contract upon award | |
| 92 | TO0005 | SOW | 2.5 | Tasks - Pay for meeting facility packages | What are the specific requirements for this event, specificially: a) number of attendees, b) meals to be provided, c) number of break-out rooms required, d) requirements for AV equipment | To help negotiate a hotel contract the following factors are important elements: a) number of attendees (can range from 25 - 400), b) number of break-out rooms required (can range from 0-6), c) requirements for AV equipment - if needed. |
Note meals are not applicable for these negotiations.
| 93 | TO0005 | SOW | 2.5 | Tasks - Pay for meeting facility packages | If the requirements of the meeting are not yet defined, will CMS consider providing a plug in number for all ODCs for this task in order to equally compare Offerors? The estimates should be based on yoru expertise of tentative costs and requirements, using the details provided. | The estimate should be based on your expertise and knowledge of requirements based on information CMS has provided. |
| 94 | TO0005 | SOW | 3.1.5 Electronic Services to Existing Website | a) It is our understanding that the current solution provides a link where registrations are captured directly on the hotel registration site. Is the intent of this RFP to design a site capable of securing registration information including payment, then to design an interface to each individual hotel registration system to communicate registration information? |
b) If so, it will require coordination and approval by each hotel to interface with their registration system. Is there an alternative, should this approval be denied?
| c) Is the current system of providing a link sufficient to meet this requirement? | Yes to all 3 questions. a. The current vendor has a website (that they developed) that links to the respective hotels. CMS is concerned with receiving the service. B. It would be logical but CMS is not expert in this field, C. The current system is working fine but CMS cannot represent the current vendor | |||
| 95 | TO0005 | Is there an incumbent in place today where all assets will be transitioned? | No |
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File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .