Questions_Solicitation_SBAHQ-15-Q-0039.pdf

Questions on Solicitation: SBAHQ-15-Q-0039

Research on Resources and Programs that Support High Growth Women Entrepreneurs

Due Date for Quotes: 12:30 PM, Mountain, May 29, 2015

1.) Could you please provide the incumbent contract number?

No.

a. If not, is this a new requirement?

This is a new requirement.

2.) To make sure that we are capable of delivering all that you are requesting, we are asking for an idea of amount of funding you will be providing?

I am unable to disclose the amount of allocated funding for this project.

3.) Does the company have to be on the GSA Schedule to be considered?

It was mentioned here but so far I¹ve not seen any other mention:

a. Technical Approach: The contractor shall submit a technical response defining the scope of work and resources necessary to execute the work to be performed under this contract including your applicable GSA labor category descriptions.

No, the company does not need to be on the GSA schedule.

4.) I understand that there is a 10 page limit for ³technical approach and past performance.² It also seems to indicate that this is to include the resumes of all the Œtechnical experts who will be performing the work.¹ If the resumes are included in the 10-page limit, I am unsure how there is going to be enough space left to address the technical approach and past performance. What do you recommend? I would like to split out the resumes to a separate section, but want to follow the instructions given.

The ten page limit is for the technical approach and description of past performance; it does not include resumes of team members. Resumes are separate and not subject to the ten page limit. Also you may submit prior research as a part of past performance; this is not included in the ten page limit either.

5.) Also, it doesn¹t seem to specify about an introductory statement, timeline, or development of the portal website, or creating the final report. Are those items considered part of the 10 pages, or should those be considered separate sections?

These project planning items are considered to be subject to the ten page limit. There is an additional section of no more than three pages regarding the storyboard and outlines of the website.

6.) What was the dollar amounts awarded for this prior project? ³New Research Identifies Women- Owned Businesses with Growth Potential² The dollar amount awarded was $99,969.40.

7.) Question about the timeframes as listed in the Statement of Work: on page 7-8 the charts shows 5 months to complete both the Final Dataset Submission and the Final Website launch. But at the bottom of page 8, it states, ³Contractors must adhere to the following when submitting drafts and the final dataset, with the final version completed not more than one year from the date of award:² Then, on page 10, the first bullet point says, ³The contractor will provide the Council with a final, electronic version of the data within four months from the contract start date.² Can you please clarify?

We are somewhat flexible regarding the timeline but generally we expect the work to be completed in a five month timeframe. Please include a proposed timeline in your proposal.

8.) On page 9 of the Statement of Work, the 5th bullet point from the top: this mentions that the final report must have an executive summary and a table of contents, APA style, etc. But I am unclear on what the content requirements are for the report itself.

The content should include an executive summary outlining key findings (trends in types of programs, geographical areas, populations served, etc.); methodology of research, including criteria and benchmarks for inclusion in the inventory; and gap analysis and identification of need in this market.

9.) Can you please provide clarification regarding the number of pages required? I understand that there is a 10 page limit for “technical approach and past performance.” It also seems to indicate that this is to include the resumes of all the ‘technical experts who will be performing the work.’ If the resumes are included in the 10-page limit, I am unsure how there is going to be enough space left to address the technical approach and past performance. What do you recommend? I would like to split out the resumes to a separate section, but want to follow the instructions given.

The ten page limit is for the technical approach and description of past performance; it does not include resumes of team members. Resumes are separate and not subject to the ten page limit. Also you may submit prior research as a part of past performance; this is not included in the ten page limit either.

10.) Also, it doesn’t seem to specify about an introductory statement, timeline, or development of the portal website, or creating the final report. Are those items considered part of the 10 pages, or should those be considered separate sections?

These project planning items are considered to be subject to the ten page limit. There is an additional section of no more than three pages regarding the storyboard and outlines of the website.

11.) Does the company have to be on the GSA Schedule to be considered? It was mentioned here but so far I’ve not seen any other mention:

a. Technical Approach: The contractor shall submit a technical response defining the scope of work and resources necessary to execute the work to be performed under this contract including your applicable GSA labor category descriptions.

No, the company does not need to be on the GSA schedule.

12.) What is the budget range for this project?

13.) What was the dollar amounts awarded for this prior project? “New Research Identifies Women-Owned Businesses with Growth Potential”

The dollar amount awarded was $99,969.40.

14.) Question about the timeframes as listed in the Statement of Work: on page 7-8 the charts shows 5 months to complete both the Final Dataset Submission and the Final Website launch. But at the bottom of page 8, it states, “Contractors must adhere to the following when submitting drafts and the final dataset, with the final version completed not more than one year from the date of award:” Then, on page 10, the first bullet point says, “The contractor will provide the Council with a final, electronic version of the data within four months from the contract start date.” Can you please clarify?

We are somewhat flexible regarding the timeline but generally we expect the work to be completed in a five month timeframe. Please include a proposed timeline in your proposal.

15.) On page 9 of the Statement of Work, the 5th bullet point from the top: this mentions that the final report must have an executive summary and a table of contents, APA style, etc. But I am unclear on what the content requirements are for the report itself.

The content should include an executive summary outlining key findings (trends in types of programs, geographical areas, populations served, etc.); methodology of research, including criteria and benchmarks for inclusion in the inventory; and gap analysis and identification of need in this market.

16.) A quick questions. There are a few upcoming national conferences that would be ideal for data gathering. Does this project have an estimated date it will be awarded?

As soon as possible. We cannot provide a definitive date/time but best estimate would be sometime during the month of June or early July 2015.

17.) Are projects eligible that focus on opportunities for girls and young women under the age of 35? Or in other terms, is there a specific age range that projects should target or is the term "women" used contractually to signify any opportunities supporting girls and women from all age ranges?

This project is about resources/programs/opportunities that serve only women, i.e. over the age of 18. A resource that serves girls may only be included if it serves adults as the majority of its clients.

18.) If an applicant (graduate student) is currently enrolled in a course/training program (ie: Big Data Analytics or Coding Bootcamp) can the award/project be postponed until after the completed course training? Would the contractor's participation in such a course overlapping with award dispersal be eligible / regarded as competitive?

We expect this project to start late June/early July; there is no flexibility with the start date. Any training underway will be considered similarly to other educational qualifications.

19.) Is any information available regarding the allocated budget specifically for this project?

20.) Would an applicant be eligible to potentially receive university/course credit for this project?

It would be up to your university.

21.) What is the timeline for the interview and selection process?/ When can we expect to hear back? Is there opportunity for feedback?

Proposals are due by May 29. Best estimate for award date is during June or early July 2015.

22.) Will budding women entrepreneurs who want to take on this project be given any special consideration in selection? What advice would you give to increase an applicant's competitiveness? (given they possess the technical expertise and background to successfully complete the project) The award will be given to the offeror with the highest quality proposal. To increase an applicant’s competitiveness, it is important to demonstrate clear and concise written communication in the proposal, specifically why you have chosen the approach you have and that you have the skills necessary to complete your approach as proposed.

23.) Can university/graduate applicants apply on behalf of their University as a sponsoring entity? What information needs to be submitted to clarify such partnership? Should applicants apply as single contractors with a partnership with their home university?

Interested offerors, whether they are individual or organization, must be registered in www.sam.gov. If the offeror is not registered in www.sam.gov, they will not be eligible for award. We recommend talking with your university in regards to partnerships for contracts.

http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/

24.) The Q&As are due 1 week prior to the proposal, in efforts to be able to digest the questions, will you consider extending the proposal deadline 1 week (May 29, 2015)? ALREADY EXTENDED TO

MAY 29, 2015 PER RECENT MODIFICATION

25.) Is there a historically accepted budget for this type of project?

No.

26.) Has this contract been awarded in the past?

27.) Has this program been tried before?

28.) Is there an incumbent?

29.) If so, who is the incumbent?

N/A

30.) Should the contractor choose a specific geographical area for research or does SBA have a priority list?

The Council wants all geographical areas to be included; however if you think that it makes more sense to narrow the geography, please include your list and a justification in your proposal.

31.) Will SBA award different contractors to conduct research on different geographical locations (for example, Contractor A research companies in CA, Contractor B research companies in NY, etc.)

No. One contractor will complete all of the work on this project. We are open to teaming.

32.) How many contractors do you anticipate awarding?

One contractor will complete all of the work on this project. We are open to teaming.

33.) Should we choose a specific market sector for the research (for example, women owned business that work in retail, janitorial companies, etc.) or does SBA have a priority list?

The Council is interested in all industries.

34.) Will the SBA consider the contractor focusing on 1 marker sector to provide best practices for women owned businesses in that specific sector?

35.) Should the contractor focus on women owned businesses that are “federal contractors” specifically?

No. Resources/programs/opportunities should serve women owned businesses in all markets:

government, business, consumer, international, etc.

36.) Will there be budget for “other direct cost”? It wasn’t included on the price sheet.

We are unable to disclose information in regards to the budget allocated to this requirement.

37.) Will there be budget for “travel”? It wasn’t included on the price sheet.

Only if travel is determined as required/needed.

38.) Is the time-line on deliverables adjustable?

Yes, please include your proposed timeline in your proposal.

39.) Is there a minimum benchmark of resources, programs and organizations that should be incorporated in the data set & web portal?

No, if you mean number of programs, resources and organizations. If you mean criteria by which the programs, resources and organizations are included, the offeror needs to include their proposed criteria and benchmarks within the proposal.