Amendment_0002.pdf

Amendment 0002

The purpose of this amendment is to:

1. Extend the response date of this notice from 04/14/2017 at 12 p.m. EST to 04/19/2017 at 12 p.m. EST.

2. Publicly provide answers to inquires posed by interested parties.

Q1. With respect to Task 2-1, is the test or sample web-based survey indicated in Task 2-1 different from the demo survey described in Task 1-5?

No; 1-5 refers to a sample demo survey. The survey is mentioned in multiple places to demonstrate that it must be available in the portal and on request, whether that be in PDF sample form or online. It is also to demonstrate the varied functions the sample survey must be able to support; it must be interactive and operate just as the actual survey will for clients.

Q2. What is the functional goal NIST is hoping to achieve by integrating the MEP Portal with MEIS?

NIST hopes to achieve several goals with the integration of the portal into MEIS, including increased efficiency, improvement of data security, decreased processing times for the generation of surveys (currently data must be ported out and in of different databases, securely transferred, etc.), and a consolidated display system for the centers to track survey progress throughout the process. Integration will also decrease any risk of error caused by the need to port the data between locations, and will also improve the ability to check and edit data. As stated in the solicitation, “NIST MEP has an Enterprise Information System (MEIS) that the Centers use on a regular basis to submit clients and projects for survey. MEIS is also used to display information about Center program management and evaluation. Included in the system is a Center Dashboard that displays information pertinent to the center. NIST MEP plans to develop additional functionality related to the MEP Client Impact Survey Process that will be displayed on this dashboard. In order to do this, the contractor shall propose technologies available in their software system to allow this functionality to be developed.” This would reduce burden on the centers and consolidate multiple systems and log-ins and sources of information to one, the MEIS system, allowing for the centers to more easily track the survey process, including, as stated in the solicitation,

• “Display Survey Response Rate

• Display Number of clients in Survey, Number of clients that have started a survey, Number of clients that have completed the survey.

• Status of survey system status – Available, Unscheduled Downtime, Scheduled

Downtime.”

Q3. Should the Client Impact Survey include both mailed invitations and reminders or only emailed contacts with survey respondents?

The Client Impact Survey shall include emailed invitations only.

Q4. Can NIST confirm that MEP Center users with adequate permissions should be able to log-in to the web system in order to view and update Competitive Award Recipient (CAR) information for only those CAR(s) assigned to their center?

Yes.

Q5. Can NIST confirm that the web system should allow MEP center personnel to input notes for each Competitive Award Recipient (CAR)?

Yes. Center personnel should be able to interact with the system.