Questions_for_New_Orleans_Amendment_1.pdf

To Whom It May Concern:

Please see the responses to the following questions:

1. Should our quotes be equal to or lower than our customary rates for the same services?

Yes, prices quoted shall be as low as or lower than those prices you offer as your customary rates.

2. Must bidders submit, with their quotes, copies of their Annual Representations and Certifications from the ORCA website at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/, or is it sufficient to ensure these are updated in SAM?

Per Section 3.1, Instructions to Offerors, starting on page 27, we require a copy of your Annual Representations and Certifications be included in your solicitation package.

3. Does the applicant company require its own DUNS number and SAM registration, or it is sufficient if the applicant’s parent company has registered with SAM?

The quoter must have its own DUNS number and SAM registration.

4. Regarding Form 1449:

a. “Discount Terms” is to be entered in block 12. How is this defined?

This can be whatever you’d like it to be; however, there is no expectation of a discount term. An example of a discount term is “2% discount if invoice is paid within 10 days.”

Again, this is just an example, not a requirement.

b. Block 17b: if the remittance address is different from the office where services will be provided, where in the offer should the remittance address be indicated?

Yes, please use the remittance address in this block.

c. Services to be quoted block 23: psychological evaluations and related services are not included. Are these required to be provided as part of this RFQ? If so, how does the bidder indicate a rate for those, as they would differ from other types of assessments and reports listed?

Please review the Schedule of Supplies/Services starting on page 4. There is a line item each year for Psychiatric Evaluation & Report (5030), but no line items for psychological evaluations.

5. If the bidder is a small business, is a Subcontracting Plan required if the only subcontractor will be one part time psychiatrist already under contract with the bidder?

A Subcontracting Plan is not required if the Prime Contractor is a Small Business.

6. Regarding the Client Notification Letter: does this letter go to current clients in the bidder’s other programs, or is this submitted only if the bidder currently provides the services in this RFQ?

The quoter should send this letter to other agencies they have contracts with (these agencies will provide references to the BOP, if requested). The letters should not be sent to individual clients.

7. If the Client Notification Letter must be submitted to clients in other programs, how many clients must receive the letter? Must copies of the actual Client Notification Letters be submitted with the bid? If not, how do we let BOP know which clients have received the client notification letter and can be contacted for a reference?

You must submit copies of your Client Notification Letters to us with your quotation. You may choose how many clients you send letters to.

8. Can the services in this RFQ be provided in a facility in an office where children are also seen, if schedules are managed so that children are never on site when DOP clients are on site?

Yes, provided the facility ensures the safety and security of the children who are never to be on site when Bureau inmates are on site for treatment. Additionally state licenses, laws, codes, and regulations regarding offenders and the public must be met.

9. What percentage of clients are anticipated to be non-English speaking? Is it required for all services to these clients to be provided by bilingual clinical staff, or is the use of translators permitted?

While we cannot offer you a percentage of clients who may need bilingual services, it is acceptable to have a plan for hiring/subcontracting a bilingual provider if the services are needed. A translator is not acceptable.

10. Are all clients anticipated to be residing in an RCC, or are any in the prison itself or under home monitoring?

Clients reside in the RRC or on home confinement.

11. Can we get list of RRC’s?

The RRC associated with this contract is Volunteers of America, Greater New Orleans, 2929 St.

Anthony Street, New Orleans, LA 70122.

12. Will all client seen at the provider’s office require transportation by the provider, or do any self-transport or receive transportation by BOP?

There is a yearly line item in the SF1449 for Transportation (1202). Quoters should provide a price quote for public transportation.

13. The RFQ states that the provider has an obligation to ensure contact is made with the inmate within 10 calendar days in order to conduct an intake. If the client does not respond to e-mail or phone calls, must the provider attempt to contact the client at his/her residence?

The provider would need to contact the RRC and Bureau staff. The RRC and Bureau staff would help connect the inmate and the provider.

14. The RFQ states that all new staff providing direct clinical services must be approved by BOP prior to providing services. What steps are involved in the approval process, and how long does it typically take from start to completion?

A background check is completed for any staff providing direct clinical services or having access to inmate information. This generally takes a few weeks, and a proposed staffer may not have contact with inmates until they are cleared by BOP staff (the provider will receive a letter notifying them of whether the employee has passed their background check or not).

Additional information is provided on Page 18 of the Statement of Work titled, "Federal Bureau of Prisons, Community Treatment Services Drug Abuse Treatment and Mental Health Treatment Services, Statement of Work, April 2016, Master's Required."

15. Page 11 of the April 2016 SOW states that the provider is required to report, “Actions which disrupt the treatment process of the inmate or other participants”. How is this defined?

Any negative behavior which interferes with or disrupts the individual's treatment progress or the progress of other Bureau inmates in treatment.

Please note that the FBOP will not accept questions seven (7) days before the solicitation closing date.

If you have any additional questions, please let me know.