Solicitation_SBAHQ160049_Answers-Questions.pdf

Solicitation SBAHQ-16-Q-0049 Questions

Commercialization Amongst Women in STEM Fields

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

N/A

a. If not, is this a new requirement?

Yes, this is a new requirement.

2.) STEM is defined as a science, technology, engineering and math is a large umbrella of various fields and career options. In respect of time, of the contract period (4 months) for Task A; does NWBC have any preference for a specific STEM field or industry (e.g., engineering, high tech, etc.)?

The researcher should identify STEM sub-fields of interest based on relevance, as established through some meaningful metric.

3.) In respect of time, of the contract period (4 months) for Task A, does NWBC have any objection to the contractor selecting 1-3 specific STEM field/industries for focusing the research (e.g., medicine, engineering, high tech, etc.)?

A small subsample of specific STEM fields (preferable, more than one) may be identified for analysis. The offeror should identify STEM sub-fields of interest based on relevance, as established through some meaningful metric.

4.) Task A, states “The offeror shall conduct a detailed literature review and environmental scan that.” Please clarify what NWBC considers environmental scan for its meaning and process?

An environmental scan should include, but is not limited to, a description of relevant federal policies, recent events, and political and economic trends that may influence outcomes or set context for the topic at hand.

5.) With the vast amounts of data & literature available for research can the NWBC quantify a list of items or an amount of sources that would be deemed appropriate for Task A in regards to a detailed literature review?

We leave this to the offeror’s discretion.

6.) For Task A: In relation to “The offeror shall incorporate high-quality sources of available data” does the NWBC have required data sets to be incorporated into the research?

There are no required data sets.

7.) If these answers to these questions should be delayed beyond 2 business days will the Contracting Officer consider postponing the quotes submittal from May 31? To June 7, 2016?

The Contracting Officer will consider postponing the date for the submission of quotes but cannot guarantee it.

8.) NWBC is requiring a writing sample – no longer than 5 pages to be include in the proposed package. Given our government clients will not likely approve us to submit previous research papers by the time of the proposal deadline; will the NWBC deem a selected portion of a larger research paper responsive for this submittal?

Yes, a selected portion of a larger research paper is appropriate.

9.) On the technical approach – topic number 5 states “Projected cost and timelines for each task outlined in this Performance Work Statement.” Please confirm that this projected cost will be stated in the “Schedule of items”? Is it necessary to state the projected cost in the body of the proposal as well?

The projected cost should be stated in the “Schedule of items;” proposals should not state the projected cost in text.

10.) Would you please clarify two additional sources for “The offeror is responsible for obtaining peer review from at least two additional sources?”

Additional sources may include any qualified individual not listed as a contractor, and not a member of the NWBC staff. “Qualified” should be determined based on the contractor’s discretion.

a. Who would be deemed appropriate as these two additional sources?

Examples include, but are not limited to, a member of another research firm, or a professor or academic expert.