B03 RFQ 12319824Q0021 - CNPP Answers AMD0001.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 28 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Classifying and Measuring Household Food Waste
- Solicitation number
- RFQ12319824Q0021
About this file
This document is a set of questions and answers related to a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for a federal contract opportunity titled "Classifying and Measuring Household Food Waste". The RFQ is being issued by the Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service and is open to qualified small businesses under NAICS codes 541611, 541720, and 541990.
The key points from the questions and answers include:
- The Government is seeking proposals for a study to address research objectives related to household food waste, and is open to different methodological approaches proposed by offerors.
- Offerors are expected to provide pricing for both base and optional tasks upfront, even though the final study design may evolve.
- The Government is not aware of existing data sources that can adequately address the research questions, so data collection is an optional task.
- Offerors are asked to propose representative sampling approaches, but the Government is not prescribing a specific methodology.
- The contract is anticipated to be a single 60-month project, with a Firm Fixed Price structure.
View the file
Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| B02 USDA Food CNPP Request for Quote 05302024 AMD0001.pdf | ||
| B02 ATTACHMENT 4 - RFQ PPQ AMD 0001.docx | DOCX document | |
| B02 ATTACHMENT 2 - RFQ Pricing Sheet AMD 0001.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| A02 CNPP Food Waste PWS Revised 20240530 AMD0001.pdf | ||
| A02 CNPP Food Waste PWS Final 20240514.pdf | ||
| B02 USDA Food CNPP Request for Quote 05102024.pdf | ||
| A02 CNPP Food Waste PWS Final 20240425.pdf | ||
| ATTACHMENT 3 - RFQ Question Format.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| ATTACHMENT 2 - RFQ Pricing Sheet.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet |
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Question List Question Format
| Question # | RFQ Part & Section Reference | RFQ Page# | Question | Answer |
| 1 | Deliverable 2.1: Draft Study Plan | 8 | Can the Government confirm that it is envisioned that this will be a combined retrospective prospective study? | The Government is not prescribing any specific approach to conducting the study. The Government is seeking a contractor to integrate the necessary expertise to propose, design, and execute an study that will effectively address the objectives described in section 3.1 (page 5) of the PWS. |
| 2 | Deliverable 2.1: Draft Study Plan | 8 | Given that the final study plan will be informed by initial project orientation and updates, how should we estimate costs for optional tasks and overall rollout? What assumptions should we make about resource allocation and adjustments post-initial phases? | The Government expects to receive price quotes for this firm fixed price contract in the Offerors' price proposals. The Government recommends that Offerors develop sufficiently detailed proposals such that price quotes for all base and optional tasks can be established up front. |
| 3 | Technical Requirements/Tasks | 5 | Is there a preference for using certain data collection methods (e.g., surveys, observational studies, administrative data) beyond the flexibility mentioned in the RFP? If so, could you provide more detailed guidelines or preferences? | The Government does not have any specific preferences related to data collection methodology. Offerors should integrate the necessary expertise to select/design a methodology and explain its capabilities for addressing this study's research questions in their proposals. |
| 4 | Deliverable 2.1: Draft Study Plan | 8 | What specific metrics or criteria will be used to evaluate the success of any pilot tests conducted as part of this study? How will these metrics influence adjustments to the study plan for the broader rollout? | The Government does not prescribe any specific metrics or criteria for evaluating the success of any pilot tests conducted as part of the study. Offerors should propose specific pilot testing activities that are in line with the scientific literature and/or best practice. |
| 5 | Deliverable 2.1: Draft Study Plan | 8 | If so, does the Government intends to use the retrospective part of this study for data already in existence as anectodal evidence to inform a more robust prospective study that will be confirmatory with adequate power and confidence? | The Government is not aware of existing data that are able to adequately answer the research questions. For this reason, the PWS includes Optional Task 4: Data Collection to support the collection of new data to address the research questions. However, the Government will consider proposals that would not collect new data and would instead utilize existing data sources as proposed by the offeror; for this reason, the data collection task is optional. |
| 6 | Deliverable 2.1: Draft Study Plan | 8 | Does the Government plan to have a combined data (retropective prospective)for combined analyses? Or will results be presented separately? We need more information on the inferential statistics anticipated by the Government with respect to these two data types and the challenges that may arise so we can propose a the study accordingly. Please advise. | The Government is not aware of existing data that are able to adequately answer the research questions. For this reason, the PWS includes Optional Task 4: Data Collection to support the collection of new data to address the research questions. However, the Government will consider proposals that would not collect new data and would instead utilize existing data sources as proposed by the offeror; for this reason, the data collection task is optional. |
| 7 | Deliverable 2.1: Draft Study Plan | 8 | What are the current sources of these data, in what format are they stored?Are the data attributes uniform across the different sources? We need to know to determine the level of effort required for edit check, data cleanining, integration and quality assurance because the statistical inference is only as good as the quality of the data. Please advise | The Government is not aware of existing data that are able to adequately answer the research questions. For this reason, the PWS includes Optional Task 4: Data Collection to support the collection of new data to address the research questions. However, the Government will consider proposals that would not collect new data and would instead utilize existing data sources as proposed by the offeror; for this reason, the data collection task is optional. |
| 8 | Deliverable 2.1: Draft Study Plan | 8 | Are there major variations in the way data have been collected over the years for the purpose of this study e.g. additional variables as technology improved over time? Can the Government confirm that the collected data is somewhat homogenous or not? We need this information for proper study design and proposal | The Government is not aware of existing data that are able to adequately answer the research questions. For this reason, the PWS includes Optional Task 4: Data Collection to support the collection of new data to address the research questions. However, the Government will consider proposals that would not collect new data and would instead utilize existing data sources as proposed by the offeror; for this reason, the data collection task is optional. |
| 9 | Optional Deliverable 3.1: Draft Federal Register Notice | 9 | Will the Government provide guidance for the OMB publication process and help facilitation? | Yes |
| 10 | Optional Task 4: Data Collection | 9 | Can the Government provide more information on the methods used for sample weights currently for previous studies? | The Government is not prescribing any specific approach to developing sample weights. Offerors should explain in their proposals how they would develop sample weights in line with current best practice in the scientific literature. |
| 11 | Optional Deliverable 6.4: Peer Review Summary for Data Files, Code, and Documentation with Revised Report | 11 | Does Government anticipate contractor to use Government approved peer reviewers or outside consultnats hired by contractor? Is there a preference e.g. University institutions or private sector companies or individuals? | Peer reviewers should be identified by the Contractor and approved by the Government |
| 12 | Deliverable 2.1: Draft Study Plan | 8 | Does the current repositary of data provide information that can answer the direct economic costs associated with food waste in each houshold (sampling unit) which can be extrapolated nationally? | The Government is not aware of existing data that are able to adequately answer the research questions. For this reason, the PWS includes Optional Task 4: Data Collection to support the collection of new data to address the research questions. However, the Government will consider proposals that would not collect new data and would instead utilize existing data sources as proposed by the offeror; for this reason, the data collection task is optional. |
| 13 | Deliverable 2.1: Draft Study Plan | 8 | Does this data include demographic variables, socioeconomic indicators and fips code? | The Government is not aware of existing data that are able to adequately answer the research questions. For this reason, the PWS includes Optional Task 4: Data Collection to support the collection of new data to address the research questions. However, the Government will consider proposals that would not collect new data and would instead utilize existing data sources as proposed by the offeror; for this reason, the data collection task is optional. |
| 14 | Deliverable 2.1: Draft Study Plan | 8 | For the purpose of this proposed study, what constitute baseline information? Is it from the first date of current data extracts or from historical information from previous research USDA research findings? Kindly advise to inform study plan proposal. | See sections 1.0 Background and Purpose and associated references for baseline and historical information. |
| 15 | 3.1 Scope and Objectives | 5 | Statistical tests with an alpha level of 0.05 is a good measure of association between variables. If a particular research question requires very significant data collection efforts to identify an association at that alpha level, how should the vendor proceed? | Data collection to address this study's research questions would be funded under Optional Task 4: Data Collection under which the Contractor shall develop and test data collection instruments and procedures to include all materials and protocols needed to conduct the data collection as well as a description of how entities will be selected for data collection. Data collection may occur over a period no longer than 24 months. |
| 16 | Optional Task 4: Data Collection | 9 | Is there a preferred tool or database the contractor should plan to use to store data collected? | No |
| 17 | Optional Task 4: Data Collection | 9 | Is it FNS's preference for the vendor to utilize representative samples for data collection or should the vendor recommended a sampling approach. | The Government would prefer a representative sample (see Optional Deliverable 4.2: "Representative Samples"). However, the Government is not prescribing any particular sampling methodology. |
| 18 | Instructions: Technical Capability (Volume1) - NTE 20 pages Total | 11 | Apart from the below volumes and requested information within each volume, are there any other documents to be submitted? Documents that could indirectly related to the project. Volume 1 - Technical Capability - Includes Technical Approach & Management Approach, Volume 2 - Past Performance, Volume 3 | There are no additional requirements/documents that are not specified in the RFQ or attachments. |
| 19 | Instructions: Technical Capability (Volume1) - NTE 20 pages Total | 11 | Could you confirm that the limit of 20 pages for Volume 1 Technical and Management Approach is excluding Resumes and Commitment Letters? If not, could the Government consider excluding the resumes and commitment letters from the page limit? | Yes, the resume and commitment letters are excluded |
| 20 | Instructions: Technical Capability (Volume1) - NTE 20 pages Total | 13 | Is there a template available to provide the Government with evidence that our key personnel are free from conflict of interests | No |
| 21 | Instructions: Past Performance | 14 | Would the Government consider to make use of the CPARS instead PPQ for past performance evaluation? | Once the PPQ Attachment 4 is provided please submit as instructed by the RFQ |
| 22 | Instructions: Past Performance | 14 | Please confirm if the Government will allow at least one project from subcontractors, who are supporting the RFQ with the prime offeror, to be submitted as past performance. | No, the agency receiving the service provides the past performance regarding the prime's performance |
| 23 | Instructions: Past Performance | 14 | If not, could the government provide Attachment 4 to request PPQs from our clients? | Attachment 4 will be included with the responses to all questions |
| 24 | Instructions: Price (Volume 2) | 14 | Is there a page limit for the Price/Volume 3? | Attachment 2 Pricing Sheet has been provided, please utilize this document to construct your pricing response to the instructions in the RFQ |
| 25 | Attachment 2: Pricing Sheet | Do we have to submit this as a separate document as part of Volume 3? | Attachment 2 is its own document; therefore, expected to be used for pricing. To answer the question this is a separate document. | |
| 26 | Attachment 2: Pricing Sheet | Can the government clarify and confirm which CLINs are expected and required in the Price Attachment? The PWS specifices 3 CLINs, and the Price Attachment specifes 9 CLINs. Should Task 9 Travel in the Price Attachment be optional? | The CLIN structure provided is based on the tasks within the PWS, if CLIN structure requires a change this will be provided in the RFQ Amendment. | |
| 27 | Instructions: Price (Volume 3) | 14-15 | Is this a single project quotation you expect where the single project period is 60 months? | Yes |
| 28 | Instructions: Price (Volume 3) | 14 | Does the government expect to receive prices for base and optional tasks before they are able to collaborate on the solutions that best fit the study needs (given that design and level of effort for the optional tasks will be determined after the intial base tasks have taken place)? | Yes |
| 29 | Instructions: Price (Volume 3) | 14 | What award range for the base and optional tasks is the government contemplating? | Unable to provide award range |
| 30 | Instructions: Price (Volume 3) | 15 | Pricing instruction states to enter the fully burdened unit price (hourly rate) and indicate the proposed number hours for each labor category listed in Attachment 2. Would the Government confirm that a fully burdened unit price (hourly rate) is to be burdened through profit? | Yes |
| 31 | RFQ, Contract Administration, Invoice Requirements | Is there an incumbent? If yes, what is the incumbent's name, contract number, award amount and duration? | This is a new requirement with no historical data | |
| 32 | RFQ, Contract Administration, Invoice Requirements | 7 & 8 | The RFQ provides instructions on contract execution, detailing what constitutes an acceptable invoice. Item #9 in this section requires that the TIN or DUNS # be included on the invoice. As the DUNS numbering convention is no longer recognized (as of April 2022), would the government update this section to require the company's TIN or Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) to be included on the invoice? | RFQ Page 12 refers to the UEI; therefore, it is expected that the UEI is used. |
| 33 | RFQ, Contract Administration, Invoice Requirements | 7 & 8 | The RFQ provides instructions on contract execution, detailing what constitutes an acceptable invoice. Item #4 in this section provides examples of supporting documentation to be included in the proper invoice, such as travel receipts, etc. |
If the government intends to award all CLINs as FIrm Fixed Price (FFP), could the government confirm that CLIN 0008, supporting Task 9, is a cost-reimbursable CLIN rather than FFP? If the CLIN Is FFP, could the government confirm that receipts for travel will not be required for a FFP CLIN in contract execution?
Additionally, could the Government confirm its intent regarding CLIN 0009 (ODC's) in support of Task 10? Is the CLIN to be proposed and billed as FFP or cost-reimbursable? Travel will be a cost CLIN and Other Direct Cost will be an Optional cost CLIN, constituting this as a firm fixed price contract. Receipts will be required for travel. Even though there is an ODC CLIN this line item is Optional and will be based on optional deliverables.
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