QuestionsAnswers_for_Solicitation_SBAHQ18Q004.pdf

Questions/Answers for Solicitation SBAHQ-18-Q-0004

Women’s Participation in Exporting and the International Market for the National Women’s Business Council

1. What are the specific data sources to derive the research information, such as for existing policies and other information, as stipulated in the Performance Work Statement?

The vendor should provide the specific data sources the vendor intends to use to develop the research hypothesis, analysis, and report.

2. What are the preferred research team size and required labor categories?

There is no preferred research team size.

3. We understand that work will be performed at contractor site but is travel required to collect data for research?

Travel is only permitted should the research proposal clearly outline the rationale and purpose of travel. This additional cost should be presented in the cost analysis as well.

4. What is the expected delivery timeframe of the final product?

Task A – to be completed no more than eight months from the date of award Task B – if option period is exercised, to be completed no more than twelve months from the date of exercise

5. Is there an incumbent contractor or is this a new requirement? If so, who is the incumbent and what is the contract number?

The NWBC considers this requirement to be a brand new solicitation separate from any active award done prior. Therefore, no incumbent has performed the services of this specific new requirement.

6. If there is an incumbent, is there a reason the known incumbent may be precluded from bidding on this new or existing requirement?

done prior. Therefore, no incumbent has performed the services of this specific new requirement.

7. Will the government allow us to submit past performance of subcontractors, if we are doing teaming partnership?

Past performance of subcontractors if subcontracts are considered key personnel can be submitted.

Contractors must seek prior written approval from the contracting officer and contracting officer’s representative (COR) before any changes are implemented among the key personnel and other staff listed in the proposal.

8. Will the government allow various research media to maximize results?

The government will allow for various research methods. All research and data projects are subject to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Guidelines for Ensuring and Maximizing the Quality, Objectivity, Utility, and Integrity of Information Disseminated by Federal Agencies http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/omb/fedreg/reproducible2.pdf. Per these guidelines, http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/omb/fedreg/reproducible2.pdf data source disclosure and robustness checks will be required for any research or data project, including all data coding necessary to replicate findings and datasets derived through coding and query and used in support of analysis, unless otherwise limited by special access agreements. Offeror should be familiar with OMB approval of survey instruments, focus groups, interviews, etc. The proposed timeline should take into account possible delays due to OMB approval of survey instrument (if applicable).

9. In order to submit a quote, must my co. be certified as an MWBE? My co. meets the definition of a small business, however I am in the process of completing that application.

Per the verbiage delineated on the posting you must be registered and active in www.sam.gov.

Additionally, you must also have a small business status per your FAR Representations and Certifications in www.sam.gov. This criteria needs to be met in order for your quote to be considered.

10. Page 3 (top paragraph) of the Solicitation Notification makes reference to an "Appendix A" however, I did not see one attached. Where may I access a copy of it?

There is no Appendix A. This was a typo.

11. Page 3 (top paragraph) of the Solicitation Notification there is a link to new previously completed research however, the link is not active and leads to an error page. What is the active link to this material?

https://www.nwbc.gov/research/

12. Page 2 (under the "Page limit" section) of the Instructions to Offerors states that company credentials are to be submitted. What format should these be in? That is, as a law firm must I submit a record from the NY State Dept. of State regarding the corporate entity?

Format and relevant credentials is up to the discretion of the vendor but, should provide sufficient information to determine offerors’ capabilities.

13. Page 2 (under the "Page limit" section) of the Instructions to Offerors states that references are to be submitted. For whom and in what format should these be in? Is this a reference for the law firm (my company)? Or a reference for the key personnel? Is a name and telephone no.

sufficient? How many references must be submitted?

Format for references’ contact information is up to the discretion of the vendor. The offeror must include all past performance for the last five years. Please provide the NWBC with sufficient information to effectively evaluate the key personnel’s qualifications and experience.

The NWBC will also look at other relevant past performance information that may not have been provided by the offeror. The evaluation will consider: (1) the qualifications of the researcher(s) relevant to the analysis being performed in the proposal and (2) knowledge and previous experience in researching the topic as stated in the Statement of Work. For those offerors who have prior experience as a contractor, the Government will focus on the past performance as it relates to all acquisition requirements, such as cost, schedule and performance, including standards of good workmanship; the offeror’s adherence to contract schedules, including the administrative aspects of performance; the http://www.sam.gov/ offeror’s reputation for reasonable and cooperative behavior and commitment to customer satisfaction;

and generally, the offeror’s business-like concern for the interest of the customer.

14. Will the answers to my questions be contained in a public record where all answers will be published, or will you be responding directly to my and all others question submitters individually (or both)?

The answers to these questions, as well as those received by others will be compiled and published on the posting (SBAHQ-18-Q-0004).

15. The last page of the Solicitation Notification contains a template. Must "Option Period 1" be completed with the quote submission at this time even though it may be subject to change?

The NWBC intends to procure a Fixed Price Purchase Order, therefore cost analysis for base period and option period must be clearly outlined and accurate in the cost analysis.

16. Regarding the "peer reviewers" - Do I need to indicate their names at this time? If yes, what other contact information is needed about them?

Peer reviewers must be approved by the NWBC and have knowledge in the specific area of research.

However, names and information of peer reviewers is not necessary at time of proposal.

17. If awarded the job, and recognizing that the cost of the project (once awarded) would be unaffected, if during the course of the work I elect to bring on an additional person to work on this, may I do so?

Contractors must seek prior written approval from the contracting officer and COR before any changes are implemented among the key personnel and other staff listed in the proposal.

18. Can this requirement be facilitated as an SBA 8 (A) Set-Aside?

Unfortunately no, this requirement is being competed as a Total Small Business Set-Aside.

19. Can this requirement be facilitated on the GSA PSS (MOBIS) 874-1 SIN Schedule as a Small Business 8(a) Set-Aside? If so, will the Government add this contract vehicle to allow small businesses an adequate opportunity to compete and support this requirement?

This requirement is being competed as a Total Small Business Set-Aside.

20. Does the Small Business Administration (SBA) have the requisition in-house for this solicitation

(SBAHQ-18-Q-004)?

The current solicitation is for the National Women’s Business Council which is housed at the U.S. Small Business Administration.

21. Is this the first issue of this solicitation - Is this a re-compete of an existing Small Business Administration (SBA) requirement or a new requirement?

done prior.

22. Is this requirement part of a Multiple Award Schedule/Contract or is it a Single Award Schedule/Contract?

The goal is to award a Firm Fixed Priced Single Award from this solicitation.

23. Has Small Business Administration (SBA) held preliminary meetings with specific contractors interested in responding to this solicitation?

The NWBC has not held preliminary meetings with specific contractors that are interested in responding to solicitation SBAHQ-18-Q-0004.

24. Is it estimated that full funding exists for this solicitation? If so, is there an intended funding threshold and what is the minimum for this threshold?

The solicitation is currently funded for the base period.

25. Is this requirement on schedule to execute a contract with the selected vendor doing the current fiscal period?

The NWBC intends to award the contract in Fiscal Year 2018.

26. Is there a prescribed procedure for technical evaluation of this solicitation? If so, can you describe procedures?

Please see the Instruction to Offerors attachment for evaluation procedures.

27. We are on the GSA MOBIS Schedule - 00CORP with a SIN 874-1. Does this exclude our company from bidding, or are we eligible to submit a proposal?

Per the verbiage delineated on the posting you must be registered and active in www.sam.gov.

Additionally, you must also have a small business status per your FAR Representations and Certifications in www.sam.gov. This criteria needs to be met in order for your quote to be considered. See the posting for more details.

28. Is the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA) Wage Determination in force with this RFQ? If so, can you advise a) What SCA/Wage numbers are applicable? and b) What City and State SCA Wage Determination takes precedence?

No it is not.

29. Does this requirement stipulate that the proposed bidder must hold an active Form DD254 Facility Clearance "PRIOR TO BEING AWARDED” this contract?

An active form DD254 Facility Clearance is not necessary for this contract.

30. If an active Form DD254 Facility Clearance is required will arrangements be made to assist and provide adequate time to process the required paperwork or are bidders without DD254 Facility Clearance not advised to participate?

An active form DD254 Facility Clearance is not necessary for this contract.

31. For areas where strict requirements exist related to this SBAHQ-18-Q-004 Women's Participation in Exporting and the International Market Solicitation that an active Secret Facility Clearance in the Industrial Security Facilities Database (ISFD) is needed to meet Secret Facility Clearance Requirements stated throughout the solicitation and Performance Work Statement (PWS); would the government accept a Contractor Teaming Agreements (CTA) under The GSA Construct that fulfills Past Performance requirements?

The NWBC relies heavily on publically available information or shared data. This data should not require a Secret Facility Clearance in the Industrial Security Facilities Database (ISFD). The offeror should be creative in the use of data and various outlets to leverage existing data or implementing a new data collection effort.

32. For areas where strict requirements exist for the number and types of past performance as a PRIME Vendor; would the government accept a Contractor Teaming Agreements (CTA) under The GSA Construct that fulfills Past Performance requirements?

The NWBC relies heavily on publically available information or shared data. This data should not require a Secret Facility Clearance in the Industrial Security Facilities Database (ISFD). The offeror should be creative in the use of data and various outlets to leverage existing data or implementing a new data collection effort.

33. Can you assist us by sending a copy of the solicitation, as we have had difficulty downloading the documents?

The solicitation is posted on FBO.gov. Please see the posting for details.

34. Please confirm that the 10 page limit cited in this section (Page 2 of the Instruction to Offerors, Page Limit) is for the Technical Proposal and is not inclusive of past performance or pricing.

The 10 page limit is restricted to the technical approach and does not include the 5-page writing sample, company credentials, and references.

35. Please confirm that the cost information cited in the referenced section (Page 2 of the Instruction to Offerors, Projected Cost and timelines for each task outlined in the Performance Work Statement) should be included in the Technical Proposal?

It is encouraged that proposals are no longer than 10 pages, not including company credentials, references, writing sample, and projected cost. The projected cost is mandatory, but will not be counted towards the 10 page limit.

Should the past performance examples present research & development of business activities, or does the government expect the offeror to have experience in importing/exporting themselves? (Page 6, Past Performance of the Instruction to Offerors)

Past performance examples should demonstrate to the NWBC the offerors competency in developing innovative and high-quality research that will result in strong policy recommendations. Previous research on importing and exporting is not mandatory.