S02 - Attachment 1 - Answers to FBA PWS Questions - Admin for Disabled Jun 2020_Combined Response.docx

Fed Biz Advisor

QUESTIONS REGARDING ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES PWS

When does the Government anticipate making an award and what is the anticipated start date?

The current contract expires 9/29/20, so hopefully sometime in September to allow for onboarding requirements.

Given current COVID-19 social distancing guidance, should the successful contractor expect to work from the designated Government location immediately?

Telework will be authorized for work as appropriate and based on the situation but this solicitation has in person requirements as well.

What is the size and composition of the CHTO support staff?

1 SES and CHTO has 4 team members.

These types of duties are typically associated with a Chief of Staff or a Deputy Director. We want to ensure we provide the Government with a candidate with the appropriate experience and background. Can the Government clarify they are seeking a contractor that has either Chief of Staff or Deputy Director experience?

These duties are primarily administrative in scope for schedule management and disabled executive support. Executive direction and delegation to CHTO team members will be by the CHTO. The seek is more in line with an Administrative Assistant or Executive Assistant scope but with knowledge and experience to understand what would need immediate action and prioritization for the team to ensure delays do not occur which could adversely affect VHA and veterans.

To assist with recruiting the most qualified individual it would be beneficial to understand the nature of the disability. For example, if the disability is hearing related, then a candidate with sign language skills would be desirable. Can the Government elaborate on the disability and any special qualifications desired in the successful candidate?

The primary SES has medical conditions that makes verbal communication challenging at times and he is limited to a wheelchair. He can always respond to text and email but there are occasions such as when he is on travel and a lift van is not where expected that the contractor would be expected to find out vehicle status by contacting the rental company via phone as they don’t often have the ability to provide real time information via text/email. This is just one example of the support expected for assistive translation & disability support, but it is the most common situation.

The PWS title calls for an Administrative Assistant which seems to conflict with the key personnel requirement included in this section and section 5.2, as noted earlier. Since there is significant disparity between salaries for a senior level SME/Analyst and an admin assistant, can the Government further clarify the requirement?

These duties are primarily administrative in scope for schedule management and disabled executive support. Executive direction and delegation to CHTO team members will be by the CHTO. The seek is more in line with an Administrative Assistant or Executive Assistant scope but with knowledge and experience to understand what would need immediate action and prioritization for the team to ensure delays do not occur which could adversely affect VHA and veterans.

A1.0 Contractor supplied equipment, PCs of all types, equipment with hard drives, etc. for contract services must meet all security requirements that apply to Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) and Government Owned Equipment (GOE). Security Requirements include: a) VA Approved Encryption Software must be installed on all laptops or mobile devices before placed into operation, b) Bluetooth equipped devices are prohibited within VA; Bluetooth must be permanently disabled or removed from the device, unless the connection uses FIPS 140-2 (or its successor) validated encryption, c) VA approved anti-virus and firewall software, d) Equipment must meet all VA sanitization requirements and procedures before disposal. The COR, CO, the PM, and the Information Security Officer (ISO) must be notified and verify all security requirements have been adhered to.

The requirements in A1.0 are excessively burdensome for an SDVOSB providing a single FTE to support this requirement. To reduce this burden, and ensure full and continuous compliance with all VA IT policies and procedures, would the Government consider committing to provide the necessary GFE?

GFE laptop will be provided

Fed Biz Advisor 2