AMEND 1-Questions And Answers-Final.docx

ATTACHMENT 1 – RFP Amendment 1

Questions and Answers for RFP

SBAHQ-12-R-0028:

Training and Assistance for SBA Emerging Leaders e200 Initiative

1. What delivery methods qualify as remote delivery? (section C1 pg. C-1)

a. The ability to administer the training live via videoconferencing while simultaneously providing in-person classroom training.

2. Are host SBA district offices allowed to help the contractor identify local facilitators/mentors?

(section C3 pg. C-2)

a. Yes.

3. How do we determine if a company has been previously enrolled as a participant in the e200 initiative?

(section C3 pg. C-2)

a. Previous enrollment determination is the responsibility of the local SBA District.

4. From the time SBA receives it, how long does it take for SBA to approve a training module?

(section C4 pg. C-3)

a. Training curriculum, including modules, should be submitted with the technical proposal and will be reviewed in making an award decision. SBA will provide comments and recommendations to curriculum and modules within 30 days of award. Final decisions on curriculum and modules will be made within 60 days of award.

5. What is meant by “road-tested by entrepreneurs”? (section C4, pg. C-3) Do we need to include time for this in our planning?

a. Offerors should submit existing curriculum utilized by entrepreneurs, thereby minimizing the need for additional planning.

6. Regarding the case study model drawing upon cases from the participating companies, how far in advance of the training will SBA know what companies are participating and when will the contractor be given the contact information of these companies? (section C4, pg. C-3)

a. Successful proposals will already include case studies based on the offeror’ s current curriculum and participating companies that have previously utilized the proposed training model. Participating companies are recruited January through March and classes typically begin in April. Final participants can be selected until the first class starts; and the contractor may receive contact information 24hrs prior to the first class.

7. Is the location of the kick-off meeting known at this time? (section C5, pg. C-4)

a. The kick-off meeting will take place at SBA Headquarters in Washington, DC.

8. Regarding this sentence – “SBA reserves the right to modify the training delivery locations in special circumstances and at SBA’s discretion at any time during performance.” – do we get extra funding if this modification increases our costs? (section C.10, pg. C-6)

a. Yes. The contractor will be permitted to revise its training and travel costs if increases are due to SBA-directed changes to training locations.

9. The Solicitation states that Native Americans are a focus. Are there any other primary focuses that the SBA has for these trainings?

a. At present, all areas of focus are included in section C.3, pg. C-2. The other primary focus area is small to medium sized businesses in underserved urban communities.

10. Marketing literature, marketing or product videos, catalogs, manuals, product literature, or other extraneous information, either electronic or hardcopy, which is provided with the offer will not be reviewed or utilized in the evaluation. Does this mean that we can’t include any of our curriculum materials?

a. No, it does not. Offerors may include any materials if directly related to, and provide direct demonstrations of, the curriculum.

11. If we are currently registered in ORCA, do we need to complete Section K.2 (c – o);

Pages K4 – K12?

a. No. Just insert “N/A” or “None” in the underlined space on page K-4.

12. Will the contractor need to provide training or technical assistance to all 28 e-200 cities?

a. Yes.

13. Should the contractor deliver on all Emerging Leaders Initiative specialized training areas: business development and growth strategies, business financing and access to capital, government contracting, CEO mentoring?

a. Yes.

14. How do SBA offices leverage their resources for each of these initiatives?

a. SBA leverages resources through various local coalition partnerships and co-sponsors with in the host location.

15. Is the contractor training SBA and SBA regional clients?

a. This is not training for SBA personnel. Only businesses selected to participate in the e200 Program will be trained.

16. Under the firm fixed price to SBA does this require the final price to anticipate training or technical assistance for all 28 e-200 cities in the first 15 months?

a. Yes.

17. Should we provide an anticipated price for traveling to all 28 e-200 and then actual travel will be reimbursed based on federal guidelines?

a. That is correct.

18. Is there information related to the limitations of the firm-fixed price? Minimum or maximum price?

a. Please refer to FAR Subpart 16.2. There is no “minimum” or “maximum” price. It is firm and fixed at the amount offered by the vendor and accepted by the government.

19. How many students or CEOs will be trained per delivery?

a. 15-20 participants per location.