Q As 2.docx

U.S. Small Business Administration

SBAHQ-12-Q-0035

Research: Women Entrepreneurs, Self-Limiting Perceptions and Segmentation Questions and Responses

Below are questions received and the response. Duplications were omitted in the event questions were similar or the same as those listed below. Any additional questions or requests for clarification should be submitted via email to the contacting officer.

1. I understand that focus groups are an essential element for the research and I realize that there is no budget mentioned for the overall proposal. However, the cost varies a lot depending on demographic and geographic diversity of the focus groups. Would you provide some guidelines in terms of the budget? This is a Simplified Acquisition, the threshold is $150,000.

2. What would an ideal report for this research look like? Visit http://www.nwbc.gov/issues-and-research for past reports

3. Could you provide some examples of past successful proposals? No

4. The 15 pages limit for the proposal, does that include an appendix and attachments? Yes.

5. Should resumes for key staff be submitted with the proposal? If so, are the resumes excluded from the 15-page limit? Yes or short biographies for key researchers. No they are not excluded.

6. Are past performance and reference information included in the 10-page limit? It is 15 pages limit.

7. There are no instructions for preparing the cost proposal. To ensure that each bidder proposes the same information, please advise what information is to be included.

a. Is there a particular format in which you would like the cost proposal presented i.e.,: Breakdown should be clear

b. Should the pricing be presented as a Separate Volume than the Technical proposal? No

8. What is the anticipated start date for this work? Work begins when awarded

9. Will the agency consider the experience of a consultant to meet the requisite number of references and/or past performance? Yes if it was experience in research

10. On page 6 of the RFP, under the Past Performance section, three references are requested along with a summary of the firm's capabilities and biographies for key researchers. Are the summary of capabilities and biographies intended to be listed separately from the references (i.e., they are not part of the reference information)? Add with the contact information.

11. Can the Past Performance reference information be combined with the relevant contracts information requested under Experience? There is some overlap in these for us. Yes if there is overlap.

12. Is there a desired format for receipt of the proposal response? No desired format but clarity is always good factor.

13. Will you share the weighting of the 5 evaluation factors? All technical factors when combined are more important than cost/price.

14. With regard to your response to questions #5, could you please share the questions/comments to which you provided your responses? It is not clear what your responses are referring to.

Attached please find the SOW with our questions inserted in the margin.

Page 2 – comments [CAC1] yes, Microsoft suite; Prepare and maintain a Project Management Plan including master project schedule, milestones, and performance measures. Comment by Charles A Carter: For the Project Management plan, is the NWBC willing to accept the use of common Project Management software (ex. MS Project) or an alternative favored by NWBC? Comment by Angela Esteva: Does NWBC have any preferred or required templates, software, etc for these items?

[AE2] Microsoft suite; [CAC3] yes face to face or a telephone conference;

[CAC3] yes face to face or a telephone conference; Work with the NWBC and utilize existing research to help define the segments of women entrepreneurs that should participate in the focus groups. Comment by Charles A Carter: In order to have the most effective start to the research, would a face-to-face meeting with the key stakeholder(s) of NWBC for this particular project be possible?

Is there a NWBC point person for communications envisioned by NWBC?

[CAC4] yes. Page 3 -- Comments [CAC5] both; [AE6] yes; . Knowing that men and women approach entrepreneurship with very different mindsets, how can we change our messaging to overcome women’s self-limiting perspectives? Comment by Charles A Carter: For the two reports mentioned, would the successful responder to this RFP be privy to the raw research data?

Page 3 -- Comments [CAC5] both Evaluate the effectiveness of any relevant current messaging and packaging of business development programs offered by the government and private industry Comment by Charles A Carter: Would this be aided, unaided, or both questioning?

[AE6] yes;

The NWBC suggests a total of 10-12 focus groups, with 2 focus groups conducted with each segment to ensure we do not have an outlier. Comment by Angela Esteva: Does NWBC wish a CD or Audio tape of the In-Person and Telephone Focus Groups?

[CAC7] no. Page 4 – Comments [AE8] no. . The Contractor should shepherd the project through the process as much as regulations allow. Comment by Charles A Carter: Does NWBC’s initiation of this process affect the timing of OMB approval? If so, can it be quantified?

Page 4 – Comments [AE8] no. Status Reports. The Contractor shall submit regular status reports to the NWBC on a bi-weekly basis. The reports shall briefly update the Council on the status and progress of all project elements including but not limited to the project timeline, methodology, interesting findings, outlines for draft reports, and any other problems encountered. Comment by Angela Esteva: Does NWBC have any preferred or required templates, formats etc for these items?