14Q3003_Q A.docx

1. I do not have many of the experiences outlined in the qualifications. For example, I have not worked in the Foreign Service, and I am not a certified coach. Can you please advise as to whether I should pursue. How rigidly do you follow adherence to the qualifications outlined in the pdf?

I cannot advise whether or not to pursue. The qualifications outlined in the solicitation are highly desirable.

2. I’m considering putting forth a proposal for the “Consulting and Organizational Development Services (CTRN006)” requested. I see you can put forth a proposal for the “base year” and/or options for four subsequent years. If I put forth a proposal for the base year, will I have the option to apply for subsequent years?

You will not have to apply for subsequent years. BPA Awards will be made per CTRN. If you are awarded a BPA for any of the CTRNs, you will be awarded for the base year and all four option years. However, the ability to provide services under the option years is not guaranteed. The option years will be exercised at the US Government’s discretion in accordance with FAR 52.217-5, provided that you adhere to the performance standards in section C.2. Your pricing proposal for this CTRN should include a Base Year price and prices for each of the Option Years

3. Under “Professional Qualifications,” it lists “…at least five years of experience working with federal executives at the GS-15 and FS-01 grade and higher”. While I have 20+ years of experience in the organization development arena working with CEOs and Senior Executives of multinational companies, I do not have experience with federal executives at the GS-15 and FS-01 grades and higher. Is this an absolute minimum requirement?

The qualifications outlined in the solicitation are highly desirable. Your RFQ submission will be evaluated in accordance with Section M.

4. Also under “Professional Qualifications,” it lists “Must be a graduate of an International Coaching Federation-approved coach training program and have at least two years of experience coaching managers or executives.” While I have 10 years of experience coaching managers and executives and other coaching certifications and qualifications, I am not a graduate of an ICF-approved program. Is this a strict requirement?

Offerors on CTRN 001 (SETS Instructor) or CTRN 002 (DCM Seminar Instructor) must meet the ICF program graduation requirement since both of those programs have coaching components. No other CTRN requires graduation from an ICF-approved coaching program. Your proposal will be evaluated against criteria established in Section M. Failure to meet one or more Professional Qualifications is not automatically disqualifying but would impact a Technical Qualifications score.

5. For CTRN 004, 005 and 006, what was the volume of the services required for each category over the last two years?

CTRN 004: Delivery of Other Leadership Courses. This is a new CTRN and did not exist in prior years.

CTRN 005: Curriculum Development, Assessment, and Evaluation. In FY13, a total of 168 hours of contractor support was tasked. In FY14, a total of 500 hours of contractor support was tasked under this requirement.

CTRN 006: Consulting and Organization Development Services. In FY13, 64 hours of contractor support was tasked. In FY14, 32 hours of contractor support has been tasked to date.

6. Are bidders required to bid on all six CTRN’s to be deemed compliant? And if not will points be assigned to vendors based on how many of the CTRN’s they submit compliant bids on?

Awards will be made per CTRN. An offeror can bid on one or more than one CTRN. Preference (points) will not be given based on the number of CTRNs an offeror quotes on.

7. Will bidder’s responses be judged separately for each CTRN?

Yes

8. Can an individual bidder be awarded any number of CTRN’s?

Yes

9. There seem to be other types of Organization Development services being requested within the scope of CTRN006. Does the ICF-approved program minimum requirement apply to contracted services not involving coaching? Additionally, I am in the process of exploring an ICF-approved program; however, I have not started or completed it.

The ICF-approved program requirement only applies to CTRN 001 and CTRN 002. No other CTRN in this solicitation requires graduation from an ICF-approved coaching program.

10. Will the State Department be procuring these services via the GSA Schedule?

No

11. In Section C.4 Requirements under the “Professional Requirements” subsection, you specify the requirement for “graduate of an International Coaching Federation-approved coach program”. Are we correct to assume that this requirement applies only to professional staff being proposed for coaching components of the proposal?

Correct.

12. In Section C.4 Requirements under the “Professional Requirements” subsection, you specify a very unusually wide and deep set of requirements, including a set of experience, certifications and skills which are rarely found within a single individual. Are we correct to assume that you expect a successful proposal to include all the aggregate capabilities specified here without expecting every single member of the proposed team to possess every single one of these qualifications?

Members of your team would need to possess every qualification to deliver training under CTRN 001 and 002. Other members of your team may possess skills sets specific to OD or curriculum design and the selection criteria for those CTRNs will be weighted to skills needed for successful performance of those tasks.

13. Under CTRN004 – Instructor: Delivery of Other Leadership Courses, you request a daily rate. Is this rate intended to cover the instructor only (and not any training materials or assessment tools used)? What class group size (or range of group sizes) should be reflected in the quote for CTRN004, if any?

The daily rate covers the instructor only. Training materials and assessment tools for all classes under this solicitation are provided by FSI. Class sizes range from 10 to 28 students.

14. Will your in-house FSI certified practitioners administer the assessment tools needed to support these programs (such as MBTI, TKI, EQi and others)? Should either the cost of these assessment tools and/or their associated administrative costs be included or excluded from our price quotes?

The purchase of any assessment tool used in our programs is at the discretion of the government and borne by FSI. Contractors may be expected to administer one or more of these tools are part of instructional delivery. FSI will not pay for contractor time or fees for a contractor to gain certification in any program. Costs to become certified in any assessment tool would be borne by the contractor.

15. Under Section M.1 Evaluation Factors – Deliverables Required: You request a “sample instructional design” for a training segment. Do you want all materials for this training segment (including trainer guide, slides, handouts, exercises, etc) submitted as part of the proposal response? Or do you simply want an outline design for such a 3 hour session?

Please refer to Section M.1, Evaluation Criteria, Technical Qualifications. “… Offerors may choose any leadership topic for the Instructional Design product. The product should be a detailed session design appropriate for senior executives, including a Trainer Guide, any presentation slides, handouts, etc.”

16. Under Section M.2 Evaluation Criteria – Factor 1: You specify the “qualifications of offeror as an instructional trainer.” Do you mean the qualifications of the offeror’s team in aggregate, or are you evaluating every proposed team member as a trainer (even if that person would be used only in OD consulting, design or other project roles not involving actual training)?

If members of your team possess different and unique qualifications, your proposal should specify which team members would perform relevant CTRNs.

17. When do you anticipate making awards under this RFP?

July

18. The solicitation does not provide for a general presentation of organizational capabilities relevant to the Statement of Work. We understand that the Foreign Service Institute's priority is to establish a pool of 'on-demand' expert contractors to carry out the activities described by the SOW. We feel that the value that our organization adds to our professional services would also form an important part of our proposal to FSI. Would FSI designate a part of the Technical Proposal where the offeror can present such information?

This information would be captured within Factors 1 and 2 in the Evaluation Criteria.

19. Will FSI support the travel and per diem costs of trainers who are located outside the DC metropolitan area? For example, if a qualified trainer were located in Indianapolis, Indiana, would the cost associated with air travel and lodging be covered by FSI under this contract?

No. Travel and per diem only applies if work is required at locations outside of Washington DC metropolitan area.

20. Do trainers and coaches need to be one in the same? Can coaching be performed over the phone? Do coaches need to be physically present during the training to coach?

For purposes of CTRN 001 and CTRN 002, trainers and coaches are one and the same. Coaching cannot be performed over the phone for these classes.

21. Will FSI reserve lodging at the off-site, overnight training facility (100 mile outside of DC metropolitan area) and fund directly or should the offer include the cost of lodging in the cost proposal?

As described in Section C, Statement of Work and in G.2 under Group Travel Expenses, FSI will reserve lodging and fund both lodging and meals for contractors participating in the offsite portions of the program. Contractors will fund their own transportation to/from the offsite location which is usually within 100 miles of the DC metropolitan area.

22. Can the US Department of State clarify the page limitations for the technical proposal?

There is no page limit for the technical proposal. However, we draw your attention to Section L.4: “It is recommended that the proposing contractor use brevity, clarity and a sense of restraint in answering all requirements. Endless charts, spreadsheets, and adjective-laden discussion will only delay the award.”

23. Are small businesses, who are not individuals, eligible to bid for this procurement? If so, is there a requirement as to the maximum number of staff/consultants that the company can include in the proposal per CTRN?

Yes. This is a total small business set-aside. No there is not a maximum, however you should only submit the resumes of staff who will be performing under this contract.

24. Must a contractor bid on all CTRNs/courses and services outlined in the RFP? Or can a contractor bid on just one or several of the courses and service areas, for example, the Senior Executive Threshold Seminar and/or Delivery of Other Leadership Courses and/or Curriculum Development, Assessment and Evaluation Services and/or Consulting and OD Services ?

An offeror can bid on just one or more than one CTRNs.

25. Page 10 of 53: Professional Qualifications. One of the qualifications listed is: Must be a graduate of an international coaching federation-approved coaching training program and have at least two years of experience coaching managers or executives. Please clarify if this requirement is relevant for those proposed to support the Curriculum Development, Assessment and Evaluation service area and the OD service area? In addition, for those proposed to support the Senior Executive Threshold Seminar and the Deputy Chief of Mission/Principal Officer Seminar, could we propose both a facilitator/trainer and a coach for these requirements? Or must the facilitator/trainer proposed also serve as the coach?

Please refer to responses to questions 12, 16, and 20.

26. Page 10 of 53: Professional Qualifications. One of the qualifications listed is: Minimum ten years experience in designing and delivering training programs for adult learners with at least five years of experience working with federal executives at the GS-15 and FS-01 grade and higher. Please clarify if this requirement (and specifically the requirement for 5 years working with GS-15 or higher) is relevant for those proposed to support the Curriculum Development, Assessment and Evaluation service area? Could this requirement be satisfied through experience working with senior leaders/executives in agencies outside the US federal government – for example for those in the United Nations, World Bank, etc?

Federal government experience is highly desirable. For the Curriculum Development CTRN 005, experience working with international organizations would be considered favorably within the context of overall professional qualifications.

27. Page 10 of 53: Professional Qualifications. One of the qualifications listed is: Demonstrated knowledge and effectiveness as an organizational consultant or organizational development exert. Please clarify if this requirement is relevant for those proposed to support the Curriculum Development, Assessment and Evaluation service area and for those proposed as trainers/facilitators of the Seminars and Other Leadership courses?

This requirement is primarily relevant for team members being proposed for performance under the Organizational Development CTRN. Please see also the response to question 16.

28. Please clarify how many hours of individual coaching is provided per participant in the Senior Executive Threshold Seminar and in the Deputy Chief of Mission/Principal Officer Seminar?

Individual coaching time is generally between 1-2 hours per participant during the offsite week. All of the coaching takes place outside the regular 9am – 4pm classroom hours and the contractor should expect to deliver a total of 7-10 coaching hours during the offsite week.

29. Please clarify if the “review of 360-degree leadership assessments of up to seven participants for executive coaching sessions” in the Senior Executive Threshold Seminar and in the Deputy Chief of Mission/Principal Officer Seminar takes place with the participant or is this time specifically allotted for the coach to prepare for a coaching session with the participant to review 360 results during the delivery of the seminars?

The contractor is expected to review the 360 results with the student during the offsite either after-hours or during working lunches. The contractor is also expected to have reviewed the 360 results and have prepared for the coaching session in advance. Contractors generally receive the 360 results one week prior to the coaching session. These commitments should be factored in to your proposal as preparation time cannot be billed separately.

30. If a small business (not an individual) bids on a course/seminar and/or service area would the company need to provide one instructional design sample and 3 references for each staff/consultant of the company proposed to support that specific CTRN? Or could the company submit one instructional design sample, 3 references for the company, and a small sample of CVs for staff/consultants appropriate and available to support the work under the CTRN? Please provide the staff CVs per CTRN if you expect different staff to work on different CTRNs. Could the requirement for the “Summary listing of relevant training” be completed based on the company experience, rather than for each individual of the company proposed?

Resumes should cite experience and capabilities of each proposed staff member. The list of client engagements and past performance information can be based on the company’s experience as a whole. You should provide one instructional design sample from your company.

31. Please clarify if the sample instructional designed presented by the contractor must be for a design that was delivered to/”targeted to Senior Executives at the Department of State” (M.2, Factor 1: Sub-factor 2, page 51 of 53).

The sample Instructional Design may be on any leadership topic of your choice. It should be relevant to an audience of senior government executives at the Department of State.

32. Please confirm if working with international organizations such as the United Nations or the World Bank would meet the requirement for “experience working with Foreign Affairs agencies” as stated on page 10 of 53?

Experience working with international organizations would be considered favorably in the context of professional qualifications.

33. Could facilitators/trainers and executive coaches proposed for this procurement also be eligible to be proposed for/accepted to provide coaching and other services for Procurement Sol. SFSIAQ14Q3001 – General Leadership Training and Coaching.

Yes. However your firm would have to bid on these two solicitations separately in order to be considered for awards under each one.

34. Will the government confirm that the 5 years experience with Foreign Affairs agencies (State Department, USAID, intelligence agencies, etc), with specific relevance to embassy operations overseas highly desirable) is not required?

Your proposal will be evaluated against criteria established in Section M. Failure to meet one or more Professional Qualifications is not automatically disqualifying but would impact a Technical Qualifications score.

35. Will the government confirm that non-instructor personnel are exempt from the professional qualifications?

This question cannot be answered without knowing the capacity of the non-instructor personnel you are referring to in this question.

36. Will the government confirm the contractor does not need to include the hotel conference center fee in the price for the SETS 2 week session?

Contractors do not need to include hotel costs in the pricing proposal for SETS.

37. Will the government confirm coaching services will not extend beyond the course begin and end date?

Correct. Coaching services delivered during SETS and DCM classes are situational coaching and do not extend beyond the course itself.

38. Will the government confirm there are no page limits (Section L refers to section M – section M does not state any page limits)? If there are, will the Government please provide the page limits per volume.

The only page limit set forth in the solicitation is 3 pages per resume for each proposed contractor staff member. Please also see response to question 22.

39. In an effort to support “green” practices, will the government accept electronic submissions?

No.

40. Page 9 of 53 – Section C: Has program been funded? If yes, can you state the value and for which year(s)?

This solicitation will result in unfunded Blanket Purchase Agreements. Individual BPA Calls will be funded as needed.

41. Page 9 of 53 – C.2. Background: With full knowledge of “no incumbents” does FSI currently employ contractors who support some of these initiatives? If yes, please list the contractors? What is the number of contractor hours and dollar value of the work they provide annually?

There are multiple incumbents, as this was previously a multi-award Blanket Purchase Agreement. 21 vendors were awarded a Blanket Purchase Agreement from the previous solicitation. You may submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for additional information.

42. Page 9 of 53 – C.4 Requirements: Are the other teammates FSI facilitators/trainers? Or can industry provide a co-facilitation model?

For CTRN 1 and 2, the other teammates are FSI trainers. For CTRN 3, the contractor is the sole instructor for the course. CTRN 4 will vary according to the class. We discourage a co-facilitation model. FSI will select the individual contractors for performance under this BPA and makes no assurances that two individuals from one company would be assigned to the same task order.

43. Page 10 of 53 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: Is the expectation that these professional qualifications reside with one person? Does this include ICF certification? As this is a small business set-aside, the impact of a SME pool with this type of talent on “standby” on a BPA involves costs, especially for personnel at this level of talent.

We seek a highly qualified trainer pool and these professional qualifications are expected of the candidates. ICF certification included.

44. Page 10 of 53 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: Clearly states “highly desirable”. How much impact does the government anticipate the “lack of” this experience having on final selection?

Qualifications within the technical proposal will be evaluated in accordance with Section M. Failure to meet one or more Professional Qualifications is not automatically disqualifying but would impact a Technical Qualifications score.

45. C.4 Requirements, Professional Qualifications - Is each contractor resource person required to meet all professional qualifications (e.g. certified coach, foreign affairs agency experience, etc.)?

Please see responses 12, 16, and 20.

46. C.4 Requirements, Professional Qualifications - Can 10 plus years of successful executive coaching substitute for being a graduate of the International Coaching Federation?

No.

47. C.1 Purpose, Paragraph 1 - How will a "full-time" and or “part-time”work/task assignment be structured (hours, location, duration, etc.)?

Contractors will be expected to work full-time, 8:00am-5:00pm during the delivery of a class. For non-instructional elements (CTRN 005, Curriculum Development and CTRN006, Consulting and Organizational Development) the work hours, duration and location will vary depending on the task performed.

48. Under section C.4 Requirements - Professional Qualifications - it states:

Must be a graduate of an ICF Federation approved coaching training program ...Is it possible that DOS can only apply this requirement to CRTNs 001, 002, 003 and 004 - the instructor qualifications and not to CTRNs 005 and 006 (Non-instructor CRTNs where ISD and other certifications than coaching are more relevant to 005 etc)?

Please see responses 12, 16, and 20.

49. Also would DOS consider qualifying an instructor who is a Retired SES (prior State DEPT service) who has done extensive executive coaching with SES level government executives and who has taught extensively and conducted OD consulting overseas - but does not have the ICF Training program requirement?

Please see responses 12, 16, and 20.

50. In section C.4. Requirements (Pages 9-10) there is a list of approximately 10 “Professional Qualifications”. My daughter and I have demonstrated qualifications on items 4-10, but not on items 1-3 on that list. Does this mean that we would be disqualified to receive an award for “Statement of Work described as CTRN006—Consulting and Organizational Developmental Services” if we are otherwise qualified to provide instruction in that area?

These qualifications are highly desirable. Your proposal will be evaluated against criteria established in Section M. Failure to meet one or more Professional Qualifications is not automatically disqualifying but would impact a Technical Qualifications score.

51. If approved for an award, how far in advance will the program of instruction that we are assigned be scheduled, and will we have any flexibility in negotiating those dates?

Generally, trainers are scheduled for classroom commitments between 6 months to one year in advance. Contractor availability for classes is negotiated with FSI as the schedules are created. There is no flexibility to negotiate the dates of the classes themselves.

52. If I understand correctly, the application for an award will include the following:

A Pricing Quote:

· Page one with all pertinent sections completed (per page 47)

· Section B

· Section K

· Contact Information including names, email, address and phone number A Technical Quote:

· Resumes for the proposed staff comprising no more than 3 pages each.

· Sample instructional design for a 1-3 hour training segment on an executive development topic.

· A summary of relevant training completed and certifications related to CTRN006.

· Three client engagement/references with summary of services rendered and contact information.

Yes

53. Regarding SFSIAQ14Q3003, FSI/LMS/EDD leadership training: The professional qualifications on Page 10 indicates that the contractor "Must be a graduate of an International Coaching Federation-approved coach training program and have at least two years of experience coaching managers or executives…" However, Section M evaluation technical factors indicates "coaching experience targeted to managers or senior executives". Many of my associates and colleagues are excellent, experienced executive coaches with decades of experience and advanced degrees in related fields, however, they are not graduates of a coach training program. Can years of experience and/or advanced degrees in similar fields suffice for being a graduate of an ICF-approved coach training program?

No. Please refer also to responses to question 4 and 46.

54. The contractor would be responsible for supplying all the AV equipment for the training...TV monitor, DVD player/recorder, camera/tripod and DVDs ?

FSI provides a basic AV set-up if any video recording is done for courses under this solicitation.

55. Regarding the two training bids. What is the max for total pages for the bid?

There is not an overall total for the maximum total pages.

56. Also in section M the requirement for resumes is no more than Two pages for executive training and 3 for leadership. Is this correct?

The maximum length for staff resumes is 3 pages.

57. Can you tell me if there is an incumbent contractor currently performing work for this requirement? If so, could you please provide their company name and contract number?

There are multiple incumbents, as this was previously a multi-award Blanket Purchase Agreement. 21 vendors were awarded a Blanket Purchase Agreement from the previous solicitation.

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

No

59. Does the Department of State have the requisition in-house for this particular solicitation (Number SFSIAQ14Q3003))?

This question is unclear. This solicitation is a requirement for an upcoming need and will result in multiple award blanket purchase agreements.

60. Is this the first issue of this solicitation - Is this a re-compete of an existing Department of State requirement or a new requirement?

This is a re-compete of an existing Department of State requirement.

61. Can you advise on whether or not there were/are incumbent provider(s) for these services? If Yes – Who is the incumbent?

There are multiple incumbents, as this was previously a multi-award Blanket Purchase Agreement. 21 vendors were awarded a Blanket Purchase Agreement from the previous solicitation.

62. Has the Department of State held preliminary meetings with specific contractors interested in responding to this solicitation?

No.

63. 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?

This solicitation will result in multiple unfunded blanket purchase agreements. Funded BPA Calls will be issued as required by the Program Office (LMS). The intended thresholds will not be revealed.

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

Yes.

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

Please see Section M.

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

You may access the solicitation here: https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=6021f4ec953cfae8d1168977e71e5c35&tab=core&_cview=0

67. The RFP in section L states: Prospective offerors are encouraged to submit quotes on recycled paper with a high post-consumer waste content and there must be no type of binding. QUESTION: Can we staple pages together or would 3 ring binders be acceptable?

Please do not include any type of binding.

68. Is it allowed to bid with more than one company?

Yes.

69. I do not have an SIC and neither do I have a DUNS code. As an independent contractor, I am paid directly. I have the credentials to apply for this position since I have taught leadership courses at the graduate level at The George Washington University’s School of Health Sciences and Graduate School of Education and Human Development. However, I have not had to apply for these codes in the past in order to be paid. Can you assist me? Or is it possible to submit a resume for consideration for the position?

You must have a DUNS number and active www.SAM.gov account at the time of the quote submissions to be eligible for this requirement. You may apply for a DUNS number at www.dnb.com

70. We are writing to inquire if the Government would accept offers for the above solicitation under the NAICS code 541611 Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. In our experience, the services required under the RFQ are frequently procured under that category in addition to the education category currently named in the RFQ.

No, the NAICS code will remain 611430.