Questions_and_Answers_7.25.17.pdf

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Oversight Training

RFQ – SFSIAQ17Q4005

Questions and Answers

Question #1

Reference: RFQ Letter

The RFQ letter states that the BPA call limit is $50,000. What if an eLearning development/conversion costs more than that (depending on seat time, desired interactivity, etc.)? This is possible, given the SOW states the seat time for these courses may be up to 8 hours.

Answer to Question #1

The BPA can be amended according to the needs of the government during the ordering period.

Question #2

Reference: Attachment 1: Notices and Quotation Instructions; Page 6; Criterion 1 (Management

Approach and Technical Capability).

Should the staffing plan [] include staffing for course development and conversion efforts (i.e.

instructional design), or should it just address staffing for course deliveries?

Answer to Question #2

Course development and conversion efforts staff should be included in the staffing plan.

Question #3

Reference: Attachment A: SOW; Section 3.3.1.1 General; 1st bullet: “The contractor will be required to provide synchronous training virtually (VILT) via Adobe Connect, Desktop Video

Conferencing (DVC) or webinar in four hour blocks per day during the duty hours of the hosting embassy.”

What is the anticipated number of (VILT) synchronous training deliveries?

Answer to Question #3

This method will be used to support Embassy request for COR training. Requests may vary widely in number each year.

Question #4

Reference: Attachment A: SOW; Section 3.3.1.2 COR Course; 1 st bullet states that “Participants will earn 32 of the 40 hours required for certification once successfully completing the class.”

The required training hours for level II certification is 40 hours but it is stated [in a different section] that participants will only earn 32? Please clarify the required duration of the COR course.

Answer to Question #4

The requirement remains at 40 hours. This will be a combination of the 32 hours from the DAU course and the 8 hours from the DOS specific class outlined in SOW section 3.3.2.

Question #5

Reference: Attachment A: SOW; Section 3.3.1.3 DOS Specific COR Course.

Please specify the duration of the DOS Specific COR Course.

Answer to Question #5

Section 3.3.1.3 outlines the requirement to teach the current 40 hour class with government furnished materials. Section 3.3.2 outlines the requirement to develop and teach an 8 hour course focusing on unique DOS processes and requirements.

Question #6

Reference: Attachment A: SOW; Section 3.3.2

a. Please clarify whether the [g]overnment is using the terms “distance learning” and “eLearning” interchangeably.

Yes

b. Does DOS anticipate the seat time for all delivery methods, including the eLearning courses, will be 8 hours?

Yes

c. Please describe the desired level of interactivity for the distance learning/eLearning versions of the courses.

The materials should involve enough knowledge checks and games to ensure the content is understood by the students.

d. Please describe the current seat time and interactivity levels for the existing eLearning courses that will be provided to the vendor.

Currently there are 12 modules with small vignettes illustrating key points and a knowledge review check after all individual topics, with exams following each step of the procurement process.

e. Please define the technical requirements for the distance learning/eLearning courses (type of learning management system, browser specs, other device specs, etc).

SCORM 1.2; SCORM 2004 (editions 1 through 4), AICC; IE11, and Chrome 57. The browsers require cookies enabled.

f. Please describe FSI’s approach to testing distance learning/eLearning for Section 508 compliance. Specifically, which tools does FSI use to validate 508 compliance?

FSI will test to the WCAP 2.0 AA standards.

Answer to Question #6

See answers immediately following each question.

Question #7

Reference: Attachment A: SOW; Section 4; Deliverables; Table 2 (Deliverables for

Development of eLearning Courses).

Please clarify whether the Detailed Content Plan and the Draft modules for each 8-hour eLearning course are due within 30 business days of call issuance. Generally these are separate deliverables, one preceding the other.

Answer to Question #7

The detail content plan and the draft modules will be negotiated based on the vendor’s specific quote. The class is expected to launch in the second quarter FY18. All final modules shall be delivered 45 days prior to launch to allow sufficient time for pilot and any changes necessary resulting from the pilot.

Question #8

Reference: Attachment A: SOW

For the e-learning modules, do you anticipate that the eLearning course will run on your learning management system [] or the vendor’s?

Answer to Question #8

Department of State’s learning management system.

Question #9

Reference: Attachment 2: Past Performance

Are the offerors expected to provide past performance reference for its Subcontractors?

Answer to Question #9

No, however, if the prime contractor is qualifying based on its subcontractor past performance, then it is highly suggested that the offer provide past performance reference(s) for its subcontractor.

Question #10

Reference: Attachment 3 Resume Format; Past Performance References.

Is the government asking for the Instructor’s Personal or Professional references?

Answer to Question #10

Attachment 3 is requesting professional reference.

Question #11

Reference: Attachment 5: Pricing Model

Please clarify if Column D (No. of Units) pertains to the number of course offerings.

Answer to Question #11

Yes, number of units pertains to the number of course offerings.

Question #12

Reference: Attachment 5: Pricing Model

For the COR Course and DOS Specific COR course, how many will be classroom delivery versus virtual synchronous training[?]

Answer to Question #12

The number of sessions for each is currently being developed. The classroom courses are for domestically held training and the vILT is for the post.

Question #13

Reference: Attachment A – SOW; Page 7; Section 3.3.2 Course Development; 1st bullet; 2nd sentence. “Development will be in in accordance with FSI Style and Process Guidelines in effect at the time the call is issued and as outlined below. Current guidelines are in Attachment 1 – FSI

Policies and Standards for Curriculum Development and Training Evaluation.”

We cannot find Attachment 1 – FSI Policies and Standards for Curriculum Development and

Training Evaluation.

Can you please provide or let us know how we can secure a soft copy of document?

Answer to Question #13

The document will be attached to this amendment.

Question #14

Reference: Section 3.3.2 Course Development; Attachment 1 – FSI Policies and Standards for

Curriculum Development and Training Evaluation is referenced

Would it be possible to review the policies and standards prior to submitting a proposal?

Answer to Question #14

See answer to Question #13.

Question #15

Reference: RFQ; Attachment A; Statement of Work; Paragraph 3.2.2.2; Page 5; Federal

Acquisition Institute/DAWIA Instructors

The RFQ indicates instructors should have "demonstrated experience in providing instruction of

Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) or Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act

(DAWIA) courses.

Will instructors that have taught customized federal agency COR courses which are otherwise compliant and designed to satisfy FAI or DAWIA standards meet this [criterion] in the above

SOW section 3.2.2.2?

Answer to Question #15

Yes, provided that the offeror can demonstrate it is in compliance with the standards.