14Q3004_Q A.docx

1. Ref. Section C.2 Background, and regarding the two, 2-day courses embedded within existing classes for new Ambassadors and their spouses, and new DCM/Principal Officers which will be offered 3x a year each. Q: Will these classes be concurrent, consecutive or independently scheduled?

Media training for new Ambassadors and spouses are generally delivered on consecutive weeks. Media training for DCMs is independently scheduled from the Ambassadorial group.

2. Ref. Section M.1 Deliverables Requested: *Detailed course design prepared by the contractor for delivery of the 2-days of executive media skills training. Q: Does the deliverable expectation involve all goals, learning objectives, tasks, and specific activities for the entire 2-days?

Yes, correct.

3. The solicitation on page 5 paragraph C.2. says: There is a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 participants per training group, with each course sub-divided into smaller groups for the media training sessions.

However, on page 6 (CTRN 001) it says: "The DCM/PO Seminar is normally offered three times each summer with a mix of government and contract training staff and a class size of 20-28." And..."The Ambassadorial Seminar is normally offered 2-4 times each year with a training staff of two trainers and a class size ranging from eight to twenty."

We would appreciate a better understanding of how these two paragraphs relate.

The DCM Seminar is offered in May, June and July. Depending on the size of the class, we expect to need 3-4 contractors for a two-day delivery each of the three months.

Ambassadorial training timing is more fluid but sessions will likely be offered in September, March, June and July. Depending on the class size, we would need 2-4 contractors for a two-day deliveries in each session for Ambassadors, and a two day delivery for spouses..

4. On page 6 (CTRN 001) the solicitation says that the DCM course is typically offered "three times each summer." Noting that the contract starts on 08/01/14, is it anticipated that there would be three offerings during the summer of 2014?

The timing of the DCM Seminars during the Base Year (Aug 2014-July 2015) is May, June and July of 2015. There is no DCM Seminar offered in 2014 under this solicitation.

5. Do you anticipate that the dates for the two days of training are sequential and that all participants of each class would complete the training session on the same two days?

For example, would it be possible for all participants to take part in the same classroom training for one day and be scheduled separately in smaller groups, on different days, for the final day of training which would include role playing exercises and mock interviews?

Training dates for the two-day media training are always sequential and all participants of each class would complete the training on the same two days.

6. Is there a contractor currently performing these or similar services? If so, please identify the name of the contractor, how long the contract has been in place and publicly available terms of that contract.

The requirement, which was combined with several other requirements, was awarded as a multiple award Blanket Purchase Agreement in 2009. There were 21 Blanket Purchase Agreements awarded as a result of the previous solicitation. You may file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for additional information.

7. On page one (17a) next to Contractor/Offeror it indicates “Code” and “Facility Code”. What are those in reference to?

You don’t need to fill in a code. Please put the Company name and DUNS number in block 17a

8. On page 26 (52.212-3) it states, “An offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically via http://www.acquisition.gov. If an offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at the System for Award Management (SAM) website, the offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (o) of this provision.

Question: I did complete the representations and certifications electronically directly at the SAM website (http://www.sam.gov) last September. However, I didn’t access SAM via http://www.acquisition.gov , as mentioned above. Therefore, would I need to complete paragraphs (c) through (o) of the provision?

No.

9. Additional Question: Would there be any harm if I still completed paragraphs (c) through (o) of the solicitation even though I’ve already provided the same information at http://www.sam.gov?

No.

10. On page 40 (L.4) it 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: Does that include staples, paperclips, rubber bands, etc.? I would like to make sure all the pages of the bid stay together (and in order) and that loose pages are not inadvertently misplaced or discarded.

Please do not staple. Paperclips and rubber bands are acceptable.

11. On page 44 (Subfactor 2: Success) it states, “This factor will also be based on feedback received from organizations where offeror has provided similar training, based primarily but not exclusively on phone interviews with past or current clients of the offeror.”

Question: Will you accept email addresses in lieu of telephone numbers since many of the people who could verify my past performance are diplomats living abroad and/or other professionals who have left their positions (and frequently change jobs)? For clients who are U.S.-based, I would provide telephone numbers.

Yes.

12. Additional Question: Are we allowed to submit evaluations, letters, emails, and other forms of feedback from past workshop participants and/or clients?

A maximum of three will be accepted. However, please list three examples of successful, relevant past performance including references/contact information, in addition to the evaluations, letters, email, etc., mentioned in the question.

13. Additional Question: If we are allowed to submit evaluations, may I include a “Contractor Past Performance Evaluation”/”Memorandum for the Record” that I received with a notice that an office at FSI had exercised an option year of my BPA? If so, should I white out/remove any references to “Cost” and “Cost Control” since it would be part of my Technical Quote (even though it does not mention a specific number/amount of money)?

If it does not mention a specific number/amount of money, there is no need to remove the reference to cost.