Solicitation_SBAHQ160050_Answers_to_Questions.pdf

Solicitation SBAHQ‐16‐Q‐0050 Questions

Research on Miscellaneous Topics Relevant to Women and Business

1.) Should Our project proposal focuses on the measurement of women's leadership in Venture

Capital funded portfolios in the US. Though there is increasing research in this area, there is still no standard uniform measurement criteria for assessing Venture Capital funded portfolios for women‐led businesses. This results in lack of transparency for agencies such as the SBA, investors and policymakers in terms of the progress of access to Venture Capital for growth oriented women‐owned or women‐led businesses. The research for this project would fill this knowledge gap.

The focus of the research proposal is up to the offeror’s discretion. The NWBC’s priority is to support and conduct groundbreaking research that provides insight into women’s business enterprises from startup to success. All research must be action oriented and provide policy recommendations. Proposals should be innovative and fulfill these key tenants.

Question: Should we submit this proposal under SBAHQ‐16‐Q‐0047 (Research on Growth of

Women‐Owned Business Out of the Small Business Category) or under SBAHQ‐16‐Q‐0050

(Research on Miscellaneous Topics Relevant to Women and Business)?

This is left to the offeror’s discretion.

2.) Can SBA provide a list of tasks under this solicitation? For instance, on page 2 of the “Instruction to Offerors,” there is a paragraph about what the proposals shall include. Item 4 states, “At least one example of research methodology that could be included in Task B, to which the offeror shall not be bound.” Please explain or send information on what is contained in “Task B?” We could not find Task B within the RFQ.

Proposals should include the following:

1. Demonstration of offeror’s capacity to execute the contract – including, but not limited to, biographies for key personnel and examples of related and/or past projects;

2. A writing sample, no longer than five pages, which demonstrates the offeror’s ability to convey innovative ideas concisely;

3. A statement of interest and initial research questions that will guide the approach;

4. A proposed research methodology and/or strategy for implementation; and

5. Projected cost and timelines.

3.) Please confirm that our Price Quote shall be contained in a separate document as stated on page 3 of the solicitation.

Confirmed.

4.) Please confirm that items 3 and 4 on page 2 of the solicitation are the only items to be included in the 10 page limit.

The 10 page limit includes: a statement of interest and initial research questions that will guide the approach; a proposed research methodology and/or strategy for implementation; and projected timeline, as specified in item (5).

Proposals should include the following:

1. Demonstration of offeror’s capacity to execute the contract – including, but not limited to, biographies for key personnel and examples of related and/or past projects;

2. A writing sample, no longer than five pages, which demonstrates the offeror’s ability to convey innovative ideas concisely;

3. A statement of interest and initial research questions that will guide the approach;

4. A proposed research methodology and/or strategy for implementation; and

5. Projected cost and timelines.

5.) Can one contractor submit more than one proposal?

Yes.

6.) How many contracts/projects is SBA expecting to award under this solicitation?

One Award is expected to be made from this solicitation.

7.) You mention a variety of end users and policy areas. Is publishing the results in industry/trade journals or garnering press pick up by leading media outlets an objective of this research?

8.) Can you elaborate on the objectives of the research? Is there a particular stakeholder or topic area that stands out as being most relevant or critical to the Council's objectives and or long‐term strategic planning? Or, is the goal to end up with a wide range of insights and recommendations that can be widely shared and re‐purposed for multiple audiences / in multiple settings?

The NWBC’s stakeholders are U.S. Small Business Administration, the U.S. Congress, and the White

House. The NWBC acts as a voice of advice on council of impact and importance to women business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs. The NWBC is expanding its research portfolio to address salient issues regarding women business owners. For a better understanding of the objectives of the

Council – both long and short term please see our Annual Report https://www.nwbc.gov/research/the‐tipping‐point

9.) Given the open‐ended nature of the RFP, we are leaning towards one more means of exploratory research (e.g., literature review, NWBC key stakeholder interviews, NWBC‐GfK workshop) to flesh out research objectives and topical areas of focus. Depending on the results from these exploratory phase(s), our recommendation for additional research phases may change from our initial proposal (e.g., audiences, methodologies, sample sizes). Would there be flexibility in either the timeline and/or budget to accommodate such changes?

We cannot disclose any budgetary information regarding this project. The timeline is recommended, and may be altered if necessary. An example of an appropriate timeline modification would be the need for OMB approval.

10.) Are you able to share with us any budget parameters for this engagement?

No, we cannot disclose any budgetary information for this solicitation.

11.) Will the government consider extending the response due date to allow offerors time to react to responses to these questions?

The Government can consider but will not guarantee extending the due date.

12.) If a survey or focus group is planned as a part of the research program, will the project timeline be extended to allow for the OMB approval process? PRA clearances can be time consuming and often fraught with delays and revisions, lack of flexibility in timeline could impar the ability of any offeror to realistically offer a survey or focus group based research approach.

The timeline is recommended, and may be altered subject to the OMB approval process.