Question_and_Answers.pdf

Question and Answers

RFQ-CSB-14-C-0001

1. Is this a single award IDIQ or will multiple vendors be selected?

This will be a single award IDIQ; however, subcontracting is permitted.

2. Based on the language on Page 5 of the RFP, each of the videos needs to be related to chemical processing? Will other videos that simplify complex information be a viable substitute or does the content have to be related to chemical process safety?

Requirement has been amended to include any industrial safety video. Offerors should describe experience producing videos with chemistry, engineering, or highly technical subjects in the Technical Approach as offeror experience.

3. If the contractor delivered a video that was used online – and not hard copy DVD replication was required, will the contractor be able to use this as a sample?

Yes, please burn the video to a DVD and include it with the proposal submission.

4. Is the contractor expected to document Other Direct Costs (Studio rental, equipment for photo shoots, travel, etc) for the price proposal – above and beyond the pricing sheet?

Offerors may include additional direct costs, but only the items listed on the provided pricing sheet will be evaluated.

5. Regarding Task 3 on page 3 of the PWS, when the contractor travels on site of chemical accidents, is there an expectation of only gathering footage (video, audio, photographs) or also providing on-site editing of that footage?

The Contractor will be expected to gather footage. All editing will be done in the Contractor’s offices or the CSB offices.

6. These proposal requirements are extremely specific and they appear to limit competition (among Small Businesses) to the incumbent only. Will the Government consider reducing the number of videos and the time in length?

An amendment has been made.

7. Will the Government consider granting an extension of two weeks to encourage competition among additional Small Business?

The CSB has determined that the solicitation period is fair and reasonable.

8. How many Task Orders does CSB anticipate as part of this contract in the Base Year? And, in subsequent years?

The CSB anticipates approximately three (3) task orders per year, but this will be determined as actual requirements arise.

9. What is the expected Base Year budget for the anticipated Task orders? As well as for subsequent years?

The pricing sheet provided in the solicitation shows the Government’s estimate for labor hours to be provided in the base year.

10. Is CSB satisfied with the previously created videos hosted at www.safetyvideos.com?

Yes. All safety videos must go through a vigorous review process by CSB staff and board members before they are approved for release.

11. Since technical and past performance are more important than price, are small business firms with specific expertise allowed to form teaming arrangements and submit bids in partnership?

Will this affect their evaluation?

An award will be made to a prime contractor, but subcontracting is permitted to meet all requirements of the solicitation.

12. Is there and incumbent or is this a new requirement?

This solicitation will replace a current contract.

13. Is subcontracting allowed?

Yes.

14. Would it be possible for a firm to respond to only one aspect of the proposal? For instance, could a firm submit a proposal for the public affairs work, but not video production or vice versa?

The CSB intends to make the entire purchase form one (1) responsible source. The prime contractor may subcontract various portions of the work in accordance with applicable FAR requirements.

15. Can a video production company bid on this project?

A video production company may provide a proposal, which should include an approach to complete all aspects of the solicitation.

16. Is there a written script based on in the input provided by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board?

The Contractor will be provided a draft copy of an ongoing CSB investigation report. The Contractor will be responsible for generating a script for the safety video, which will then be submitted to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for approval. The Contractor will http://www.safetyvideos.com/� be required to work with public affairs and investigation staff to develop an approved, technically accurate script for the safety video.

17. Is there an estimated time line for this project?

CSB safety videos are generally released at the same time as an investigation report, so the timeline for each video will be specific to the progress of the investigation process. Public affairs and media support will be ongoing throughout the duration of the contract.

18. Could you clarify whether the solicitation means to require replicating 20,000 total DVD disks or 20,000 3-disk DVD sets, for a total of 60,000 replications. As the solicitation requests a bid on 20,000 mailings, it would appear it requires 60,000 disk replications.

The Contractor will be required to replicate approximately 20,000 copies of the CSB’s full set of safety videos. This DVD set currently includes three (3) DVDs, but is subject to change. As a result, 20,000 copies of the 3-DVD set would result in the replication of 60,000 DVDs. The Contractor will be required to occasionally remaster the DVDs as new safety videos are added to or removed from the collection.

19. Can you provide more details on how you want us to respond in terms of the proposal?

Required content? Any details helpful.

Please complete the provided pricing sheet. The non-price proposal should include a description of the offeror’s technical approach (including personnel/subcontractor qualifications, offeror experience), a quality assurance plan, and three (3) sample videos with the required descriptions.

20. What criteria will be used to judge proposals?

The criteria described in the Instructions to Offerors (FAR 52.212-1) will be used to evaluate proposals.

21. Do you want us to have a proposal for technical items and a proposal for price?

Yes.

22. Is the final product to be high quality i.e. broadcast?

Yes. All videos must be able to be streamed from the CSB’s website and YouTube page. The contractor will be required to work with both HD and SD video. All videos must go through color and sound correction before approved.

23. Are we required to submit a Drug Free Workplace agreement?

As a solicitation for the acquisition of a commercial item, the exemption provided in FAR 25.501(b) will apply to the awarded contract.

24. Will we be compensated based on set mile stones or until the completion of the entire project?

Invoices can be submitted upon the completion of significant milestones.

25. Besides yourself is there an additional person to contact that knows the ins and outs of this project besides yourself?

The CSB has a team of evaluators that includes technical experts.

26. Lastly could I submit additional questions besides these at later point and time?

The question and answer period will remain open until September 20, 2013. Questions submitted after the period closes will be at the CSB’s discretion to answer.

27. A 1449 form does not appear to be provided separately. The 1449 which is page 1 of the Final Solicitation does not appear to be set up to permit entries by the offeror (for example, box 17).

May we assume the pricing sheet provided in the solicitation will suffice for this, or in the alternative, an Excel spreadsheet duplicating exactly the information requested in the pricing sheet?

The SF-1449 will not be required, but all offerors must complete and submit the provided pricing sheet.

28. Does the government assume the contractor will charge a standard project management fee on non-labor vendor costs?

The government makes no assumptions as to how offerors will propose non-labor vendor costs; however, if an offeror proposes such costs they must comply with FAR 16.601(c)(3).

Such added proposed costs will be evaluated as part of the price reasonableness determination.

29. Would costs like travel, media clipping expenses, postage/shipping be handled as a not to exceed ODC line item?

Yes. Non-labor vendor costs will be handled as other direct cost line items subject to a not-to-exceed limit.