SFSIAQ16Q4003_Public_Speaking_Q A.docx

1. Is there an incumbent for this effort?

If yes, could you please provide the Contractor's name and the Contract ID?

Multiple vendors

2. Could you clarify please? Not sure how many classes you are looking for here. It looks to like the classes are to be about 6-8 hrs each?

Each workshop will include one plenary presentation between 2.5 and 4 hours long for the entire class, and up to eight small group sessions for practical training, with each lasting four hours. Depending on class size, this could be up to 68 hours (one 4-hour plenary, with 16 small group sessions of 4 hours each).

3. Does Section C translate into 40 to 100 students in each class 4 hrs of instruction then 4 hours of engaged hands on training with 8-12 per class?

All students will receive up to 4 hours of classroom instruction in the plenary workshop. The large class will then be divided into smaller groups, each of which will be given two 4-hour sessions of hands on training.

4. How many classes approximately will be given for year?

There will be approximately four classes per year.

5. On page 27 (52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications) it states, “The Offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the Offeror has completed the annual representations and certification electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM) website accessed through http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://www.acquisition.gov.”

Does that mean the Offeror would not be required to submit the entire Representations and Certifications portion [paragraphs (b) through (p)] but ONLY page 29 with paragraph (b) of the provision?

Correct

6. On page 43 (L.1 Instructions 7.) it states, “Submit completed Representations and Certifications or current ORCA documentation.”

Am I correct in assuming it should read current SAM documentation, not ORCA?

Yes, there will be an “Amendment 001” to correct this

7. If yes, would it be considered sufficient current documentation to include a copy of the “Entity Information” page from the SAM website indicating the company’s name, active registration status and expiration date?

Yes, as long as the ‘Representation and Certifications’ is visible within the print out.

8. Would there be any harm in providing both the current SAM documentation and the completed Representations and Certifications pages [paragraphs (c) through (p)]?

No, you may submit both

9. On page 46 (Factor 2: Past performance) both Subfactor 1) Relevancy and Subfactor 2) Success state, “The contractor shall include at least three examples of successful, relevant past performance.”

Should the contractor include “at least three” examples under Subfactor 1 and “at least three” different examples under Subfactor 2 or could all the examples be included under one combined heading of Subfactor1/Subfactor2?

You may use the same references for both Subfactor 1 and 2, as long as it is stated and clear that you want the examples to be used for both and all required information in included.

10. On page 46 (Factor 2: Past performance) Subfactor 1 states, “The contractor shall include the names and contact information of a reference who can validate these examples. The contractor shall provide the past performance survey … to each reference.”

Would a valid email address be sufficient “contact information” for a reference?

Yes, as long as they are valid. Emails or telephone numbers will suffice.

11. Could a contractor include a name and contact information of a reference who could validate an example of successful, relevant past performance without having to send a past performance survey to that person (as long as the contractor provided surveys to at least three other references and included their names/contact info)? In other words, if a contractor included 8 references, would the contractor have to provide 8 past performance surveys?

There must be at least three examples detailing relative past performance, with contact information and surveys. Beyond the three examples, you may include just contact information or surveys or both.

12. Is there a maximum number of past performance surveys an Offeror is allowed to submit?

Yes, five

13. Are Offerors permitted to submit evaluations, letters, emails or other forms of feedback from workshop participants and/or clients to validate examples of successful, relevant past performance?

Yes, but only to supplement information. As least three direct references who are able to be contacted are required.

14. Are Offerors permitted to staple portions of the bids or must they use only paperclips and/or rubber bands?

Yes, staples, paperclips and rubber bands are permitted. Please no plastic binding.

15. Page 9, C.1. Statement of Work, Background: What are the "variety of Foreign Service Situations” that would need to be addressed?

“Foreign Service situations” could include formal speeches to groups of students, business people, professionals, academics, government counterparts, NGOs, and the media. They could also include informal, extemporaneous speaking events to similar audiences, for example comments given while attending a diplomatic reception. Audiences in these contexts could be foreign or U.S. citizens, hostile or friendly. Topics could run the gamut from policy and process discussions to examinations of U.S. culture and society.

16. Page 9, C.1. Statement of Work, Background - “Each workshop will include one plenary presentation between 2.5 and 4 hours long for the entire class”. Our workshops are extremely interactive and we like to involve participants in learning more frequently in a 2-4 hour time frame. Is the plenary session format flexible enough to allow for interactive participation or is it intended to be solely a lecture segment?

The plenary session should provide a solid basis of understanding of public speaking techniques and strategies for all students. The small group sessions should be focused on providing actual speaking opportunities and individual feedback for all class members. There is no prohibition against interactive elements in the plenary session.

17. Page 10, top, “Build Esprit de Corps and exemplify the One Team principles”. What are the “One Team” principles and where are they stated?

Orientation course goals include supporting the “One Team” concept, which refers to the idea that, despite our differing personnel systems and career trajectories as members of the U.S. Department of State (as Foreign Service Generalists, Specialists, Civil Servants, Locally Employed Staff, etc.), we are unified by our shared task to advance and support the mission of the Department.

18. Page 10, under “Detailed Work Requirements: “The level of instruction must be advanced…” Please distinguish between the skill sets and instruction that you consider foundational and advanced.

Advanced instruction is intended to go beyond the development of general speaking skills and textbook tips for public speaking. The contractor must provide detailed instruction and guidance to assist the participants in improving their ability to make effective, persuasive, and culturally-sensitive presentations on behalf of the U.S. Government to well-informed, but not necessarily receptive audiences and media representatives, both American and foreign.

19. Page 10, under “Detailed Work Requirements: - “both American and foreign” audiences. Are the “foreign” audiences addressed through an interpreter or do they readily understand English?

Overseas, Foreign Service Officers may address audiences in English, via an interpreter, or in local languages. The principles and techniques in this module should apply no matter what language is used.

20. Page 10, under “Detailed Work Requirements: “ Ensure students receive instruction… with the various forms of Foreign Service public speaking”. Please highlight your expectations regarding the various forms of Foreign Service public speaking.

Foreign Service public speaking could include formal speeches to groups of students, business people, professionals, academics, government counterparts, NGOs, and the media. They could also include informal, extemporaneous speaking events to similar audiences. Audiences in these contexts could be foreign or U.S. citizens, hostile or friendly. Students should be given techniques applicable to any number of situations. Students should also be given information on how to prepare for a presentation, such as audience assessment, room layout, and mental preparation.

21. Page 10, under “Detailed Work Requirements: Are there specific situations that need to be addressed in our response (i.e. cultural requirements, language nuances, etc.)?

The principles and techniques offered in this module should be widely applicable, and should take into general consideration these variations among audiences.

22. Page 12, C.2, Gov’t Provided Property: “recording and playback equipment”. May Ipads be used for video recording versus cameras and DVD equipment?

FSI will provide access to recording and playback equipment and a DVD for each student. In the small group sessions, student speeches or presentations should be recorded (VHS, DVD, or other digital format) and critiqued in detail by the facilitators in either a group setting or an individual basis.

23. Page 18, Section H, Identification Card Policy. The DOS website states "The DoS will issue DoS Personal ID Cards to government and contractor employees who work at DoS facilities on a full or part-time basis and require frequent and recurring access to DoS facilities or information systems. The DoS defines frequent and recurring access as visits that occur eight or more times per month.”

As presently described, this Solicitation appears to require on site access less than eight times a month. As such, is it necessary for our team of trainers to go through the process of acquiring ID Cards?

That determination will be made by Department of State Diplomatic Security at a later date.

24. If yes, how long does it take to receive an ID card? (the first training is in January 2016 - will there be sufficient time to file and receive?)

The amount of time varies.

25. Is a clearance required for the trainer and if so, what level is required?

No.

26. 26. Are costs (travel, lodging, etc) related to this security briefing reimbursed to the training vendor by the DOS?

No

27. As a Service Disabled Veteran Owned small business, we would team with a large global learning organization. If a small business prime contractor takes on 51% of the work, can a large business participate as a team member?

Yes.

28. Our team has human resources across the USA and around the globe. Are local resources required? Will the government reimburse for instructors that may come from outside of the Washington Metro area?

Local resources are not required, however we will not reimburse for travel to FSI. All travel costs should be rolled into the fully-loaded fixed-priced rate.

29. We expect to utilize instructors from North America, but one of our team mates based in the USA, may bring resources from Canada. Does the State Department require US citizenship?

No

30. We understands the Department of State will retain ownership of all materials/IP provided. If a contractor tailors existing materials for Foreign Service Officers, our expectation is Department of State will retain ownership of the tailored materials. However, please clarify, if the contractor can continue to use the base materials owned by the contractor. More specifically, can the contract retain ownership of the materials used to create Public Speaking Courses, but have no reference to Department of State/FSO?

Yes.

31. We are preparing to submit a proposal for solicitation SFSIAQ16Q4003, Public Speaking. We have a question. Can we use the past performance of subcontractors for this solicitation. We do not have past performance similar in size and scope to this task but our subcontractor does. Will our proposal be compliant?

The prime company must submit past performance information. If the prime does not have any past performance at all, please specify.