Area_Studies_qA2_(2)_(2).docx

Question No.

in Section C.

Question: After the initial award will the contractor be able to add additional geographic regions for consideration in the event of future government need.

time to ensure the classroom is ready and to do other administrative tasks.

Question: What is the earliest time the contractor will have access to the facility? Will the contractor have access to an office to meet with students or will the class room be utilized as an office?

Question 3: Historically, how far in advance were syllabus/schedules required to be submitted? How long does the government have to approve the syllabus/schedule?

for class discussion Question: Does the government have to approve the material? Will the government provide the medium to deliver the material such as blackboard or another electronic file share system?

Answer: The Regional Chair will approve the material which will be posted on or distributed via whatever platform FSI is using at the time the course is offered.

Question: Please define regular basis, do these meeting need to take place in person?

Answer: We cannot define regular at this point because these are new programs. Not all meetings need to take place in person.

COR a minimum of one week in advance, with a written request for permission to be absent;

Question: How are last minute sickness and emergencies handled? Answer: This depends on the length of the contractor’s absence. The Area Studies Division has typically covered short absences due to emergencies, but in principle, the contractor is expected to provide a subcontractor who would be approved by the Regional Chair. In this case, the contractor invoices for the work and takes care of whatever arrangements the contractor made with the subcontractor.

Question: Could the current FSI policy be shared with contractors to accurately assess the level of effort this takes to be compliant?

Answer: There is no current FSI policy. Based on past experience, these policies change and Area Studies will be expected to comply with whatever policy is established.

honoraria and related expenses when appropriate.

Question: Will the DoS pay any associated fees directly to the guest subject matter expert?

Answer: The Department of State will pay honoraria and related expenses when appropriate to the guest speaker.

scores on an in-class exam and on their written and/or oral projects.

Question: Will the contractor be responsible to evaluate the results of the in-class exams and provide scores for the written and/or oral projects?

Answer: I do not have an answer to this question at this time. These are new courses and much will be worked out as we implement the courses.

Question: Can FSI provide details of the requirement?

Answer: Not at the moment. Details have not been established and requirements might change.

Question: Since the sessions are to be prices on a firm fixed price basis, what type of budgeting is required?

Answer: The budgeting mentioned in the statement is independent of the contract and its firm fixed price.

Cost Control

Question: Since the course is priced as a Firm Fixed Price per session, is the cost control still a requirement?

Answer: Yes

Question: Since this is a Firm Fixed Price per session requirement, why would the number of hours have to be approved by the COR?

Answer: In the event the contractor needs to be at FSI outside of the core hours

Question: How far in advance will the contractor be notified that they have been awarded a session?

Answer: This is unknown. Much depends on enrollment and sometimes we do not know until very close to the time a course would be offered.

specified in each BPA Call.

Question: Does the government plan to award the geographic areas for the entire base year or award each geographical area offering independently?

Answer: The government anticipates awarding each offering independently

Question: What is the typical class size per offering?

Answer: This is a new product and we do not know. We hope that the typical class will be between 10 and 20, but this is just a rough estimate.

weather, terrorist threat, emergency situation, etc.) the contractor shall not be paid for that day. If the support service is rescheduled, the contractor will be given an opportunity to provide services on a new date.

Question: How can the contractor be held liable to work when these type of events are completely out of the contractor’s control? Since this is a Firm Fixed Price requirement per session it is not feasible to deduct a daily rate.

Answer: You are not held liable to work during a government closure or shutdown. Contractors are not permitted to work during a closure or shutdown.

Question: Is overseas travel required? If so, what percentage?

Answer: OCONUS travel is not anticipated.

Question: Is it required for the Area Coordinator to live within 50 miles of FSI? Will travel to the place of performance be reimbursable or does any travel to the place of performance need to be included in the Firm Fixed Price per session rate? If travel is reimbursable will the CLIN have a not to exceed amount?

Answer: No, it is not required for the Coordinator to live within 50 miles of FSI. Travel to and from FSI will not be reimbursable. The per session rate should be fully-loaded. If the contractor is required to perform services 50 miles or more outside of the primary location, FSI, a separate CLIN will be issued with a not to exceed amout.

Question: Is the contractor authorized to receive per diem if they do not reside within 50 miles of the place of performance?

Answer: No, the contractor is only authorized per diem if asked to perform work 50 miles or more outside of the primary place of performance, which is 4000 Arlington Boulevard, Arlington, VA

Question: Can the contractor see the facility prior submitting a final quote? Is Wi-Fi available in the classroom? Are there any restrictions to access the internet on the government system? Can contractor owned computers be used in the facility if so can those computers access the internet?

Answer: No, the contractor cannot see the facility before submitting a quote. The classrooms do not currently have Wi-Fi. Personal computers can use the Wi-Fi in the cafeteria only.

Question: What is the standard time to receive an ID card?

Answer: The time can vary

of the offeror.

Question: Can these interviews be on the telephone? Or video teleconferencing?

Answer: Yes.

Questions: Will a current sam.gov account satisfy this requirement?

Answer: Yes

Question: Will the past performance of the contractor be considered along with the past performance of the proposed candidate?

Answer: Yes