RFP Questions Answers Director Search.docx

RFP TOFS-11-S-0009 Questions and Answers

Capital Purchase Program – Board Placement

Notice: the deadline for receipt of proposals has been extended to Monday, 09/26/11 at 11:00am EST.

1. After contractor conducts candidate background checks (section C.3.4) for an engagement, will that be the end of contractor’s tasks for that engagement? At that point will Treasury work directly with candidates and current bank board to coordinate interviews and place the candidate or will additional contractor support be required?

The contractor will stay in continuous contact with the candidate, bank board and the Treasury throughout the appointment of specific candidates to a board of directors, including, e.g., coordinating interviews and other necessary logistical support.

2. Solicitation C.3.4 Do you require background checks for all candidates (ie, the 6 or more in the “engagement candidate pool”) or just the two in each engagement selected by Treasury for Board seats?

Background checks are required once Treasury has decided to interview a candidate based on the information supplied about the candidate.

3. What is the expected duration of an engagement (from start to delivery of Candidate Resume Book to completion of Board interviews to first placement)?

3-4 months

4. Attachment J-5—Pricing Table. Trying to match-up section C.3 Scope of Services & Deliverables with the CLINs:

a. C.3.2 (Candidate List/Search Book) seems to fall under CLIN 1. Is that correct? Yes.

b. Should there be a CLIN for C.3.1 (assisting with development of placement criteria)?

No. This is a generic, general advisory issue.

c. Which CLIN does C.3.3 (formally present candidates) fall under? CLIN 1.

d. Which CLIN does C.3.4 (background searches) fall underCLIN 1 because background searches should be completed before CVs are sent to Treasury.

e. CLIN 2 Completion of Board Interviews. Is this candidate interviews by the current bank board or by Treasury or both? By Treasury only.

f. CLIN 5 ODCs. Will travel be approved for contractor to interview current bank board and candidates?

Treasury has provide not to exceed amounts for travel and other direct costs. Further instruction on allowable travel costs can be requested from the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative after contract award.

5. Solicitation C.3.1 indicates contractor will assist the Treasury with the development of placement criteria. What criteria has Treasury used for director placements already made?

Please visit our online FAQs here: http://www.treasury.gov/initiatives/financial-stability/programs/investment-programs/cpp/Documents/CPP%20Directors%20-%20Observer%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf and here: http://www.treasury.gov/initiatives/financial-stability/programs/investment-programs/cpp/Documents/CPP%20Directors%20FAQs.pdf .

6. Solicitation C.3.3—Would you provide a copy of a presentation of candidates you’ve received for Board positions previously filled (candidate names and personal information removed) so we can see the format with which you have been satisfied?

No. It’s up to the contractor to provide all relevant information and, once chosen, Treasury will work with contractor to finalize the form.

7. Has Korn Ferry been working with Treasury on previous Board positions? If so, how many positions did they fill and for what contract amount?

Korn Ferry has done executive searches for various components of the Treasury Department. More information on these engagements can found in the Federal Procurement Data System. Search the keywords "korn ferry" "treasury" on the website https://www.fpds.gov. Treasury works with many different contractors on many different projects and it may be worthwhile to perform additional FPDS searches to gain historical information.

8. Have any other firms worked with Treasury to find candidates for Board positions over the last two years? Which firms?

The incumbent firm for CPP board placement support is Hewitt EnnisKnupp. More information on these engagements can found in the Federal Procurement Data System. Search the keywords “TOFS10D0004” "treasury" on the website https://www.fpds.gov. Note that Hewitt worked on a number of consulting projects for Treasury. The best example of recent, CPP board placement work is the FPDS record for TOFS10D0004004 which has a $2,700,000.00 and covers only board search work. Treasury works with many different contractors on many different projects and it may be worthwhile to perform additional FPDS searches to gain historical information.

9. What are the Government's Small Business Concern (SB, VOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone, SDB, and WOSB) participation targets for this Contract? [KC: no idea what this means]

For reference purposes agency small business goals for Fiscal Year 2011 are noted as follows:

10. Are you able to expand on the evaluation criteria listed for the Technical Approach and Management Approach? For example, we are a small business, and while we have a nationwide database of available candidates, we do not have a nationwide physical presence. Aside from meeting with Treasury officials in Washington, D.C., is there be a requirement for the Contractor to be present for other meetings nationwide? Are there any other evaluation criteria we should be aware of?

Offerors must be able to provide nationwide coverage for board search work. There is no requirement to maintain physical offices nationwide (in every state). Some travel to Washington D.C. will likely be required when task orders are issued against the Indefinite Quantity / Indefinite Delivery contract. Other travel may be necessary in the performance of task orders.

There are no additional evaluation criteria beyond what is stated in the solicitation. Offerors will be evaluated on the stated criteria and must also be compliant with all applicable laws and regulations.

11. Does the Government anticipate making a single award, or multiple awards under this Contract?

The Treasury intends to award one contract under this RFP, but reserves the right to award multiple contracts or no contract under this RFP. After receiving proposals Treasury will make final determination on the number of contract awards in the source selection decision.

12. What are the Government's expectations or requirements regarding the number of positions required to be filled in each calendar quarter during the Period of Performances (Base Year and Option Year One)? Do you anticipate an average of 10 (say, 8-12) per quarter, evenly spread throughout the Period of Performances, or, are there any quarters in which you anticipate a substantially higher number of positions needing to be filled?

40 financial institutions with two board placements per institution is the best estimate available. We expect the positions to be filled relatively evenly throughout the year.

13. In CLIN 0005 and CLIN 0010 ("Other Direct Costs"), you indicate that we should price for Travel. Can you clarify what travel is included here? Can you confirm it is just FTR 301-1.3(b) "interviewees performing pre-employment interview travel"? Does this include candidates traveling to Washington, D.C. to interview with Treasury? Does it include candidates traveling outside of the Washington, D.C. area to meet with current bank management and/or boards to interview with them? Does it include Contractor travel to meet with Candidates ourselves?

It is anticipated that task order travel reimbursement will only cover travel for board candidates.

14. Regarding Section L.4, 2nd paragraph “The response must also include a document, containing 1-inch margins and 12 point font, addressing the RFP eligibility and evaluation criteria”, not clear what this document should contain:

Strike the 2nd paragraph in Section L.4:

“The response must also include a document, containing 1-inch margins and 12 point font, addressing the RFP eligibility and evaluation criteria. The response with respect to, Technical Approach, Management Approach, and Past Performance, exceed the respective one-sided page limits noted in the below table below and any such information provided outside such allowable pages will not be considered in the evaluation.”

a. Is this Volume V of the proposal? (If it’s not Volume 5, not clear what Volume 5 should address)

See the above language regarding striking the 2nd paragraph in Section L.4.

b. Is this document supposed to address each of the bullet items under section M.1 Eligibility?

Offerors must submit a proposal with the required conflict of information and information on company financial resources. No other information needs to be submitted for the other items listed under M.1 Eligibility – unless requested by the Government to demonstrate responsibility.

c. If so, what information do you need to demonstrate adequate financial resources (first bullet under M.1)?

Offerors must submit evidence of adequate financial resources to perform the work requirements in the planned contract. Financial statements, lines of credit, or any other relevant information could be used to address financial resources.

d. What is meant by this document addressing the evaluation criteria? Are we supposed to identify where in Volume I (Technical Approach) and Volume II (Management Approach) we discuss our compliance with evaluation criteria?

See the above language regarding striking the 2nd paragraph in Section L.4.

15. Is a “Treasury” board member required to become a member of the audit committee of the firm?

No.

16. Will Treasury perform its own search for board candidates prior to issuing a search request to the vendor?

Generally, no.

17. Is there an incumbent firm currently performing board searches for Treasury?

See question 8.

18. Since the establishment of the CPP, how many board members have been appointed to the 707 institutions in the program?

As of August 31, 2011, 3 board members have been appointed to two institutions under the program.

19. Does the board term end when the Treasury sells its investment or does the board member come up for election by proxy vote?

Treasury’s rights are contained in the CPP contracts which are public, so please see there; but generally, when an institution brings itself current on the outstanding CPP instrument, the Treasury loses the CPP board seats.

20. Assuming 707 institutions multiplied by 2 board seats means that there are 1,414 potential “Treasury” board seats. How many of these “Treasury” board seats are currently open?

Treasury has the right to appoint at institutions where the institution has missed six quarterly dividend or interest payments. See the TARP dividends and interest reports here: http://www.treasury.gov/initiatives/financial-stability/briefing-room/reports/dividends-interest/Pages/default.aspx to determine how many institutions are in this status.

21. Is the board term annual?

No; it is indefinite (i.e., until Treasury loses its appointment right) or Treasury chooses to remove the board member.

22. What are Treasury’s criteria for reappointment? i.e. 100% attendance, willingness to serve on the audit committee, need for a candidate’s immediate expertise, etc.

See our FAQs here: http://www.treasury.gov/initiatives/financial-stability/programs/investment-programs/cpp/Documents/CPP%20Directors%20-%20Observer%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf and here: http://www.treasury.gov/initiatives/financial-stability/programs/investment-programs/cpp/Documents/CPP%20Directors%20FAQs.pdf.

23. Is membership in the Association of Executive Search Consultants a requirement or plus?

Membership in the Association of Executive Search Consultants is not a requirement. Offerors must demonstrate the soundness and quality of their technical approach. This may be done through adherence to professional guidelines or by utilizing other best practices.

24. Does a board member appointed by Treasury have any additional responsibilities compared to other members of the board? See our FAQs here:

http://www.treasury.gov/initiatives/financial-stability/programs/investment-programs/cpp/Documents/CPP%20Directors%20-%20Observer%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf and here: http://www.treasury.gov/initiatives/financial-stability/programs/investment-programs/cpp/Documents/CPP%20Directors%20FAQs.pdf .

25. Page 5, Section C.3.3 - Please define “Organizational Detail”.

C.3.3 Formally present candidates selected for additional consideration by Treasury.

These presentations shall include the following information:

Active Candidate Profiles: Geographic information, Organization Detail, Professional Experience, Board Service Experience, Education, Commentary, Candidate-authored Bio, and Assessment by the contractor/interviewer.

Detail regarding the organizations with which the candidate has been associated.

26. Page 6, Section C.3.6 – Please define “options papers” Written advice on certain issues regarding the placement of the board members under the program as Treasury may determine.

For the services listed above, the firm(s) will be required to complete deliverables in the form of written reports, program documents, options papers, face-to-face presentations, verbal recommendations, and implementation of decisions and approved recommendations, as directed by the Treasury.

27. Page 9, Section F.2.2 – Will the Contracting Officer provide guidance in at times of uncertainty or is Contractor expected to secure its own counsel regarding this deliverable?

Status of Mitigation Plan. In accordance with Section H.4 and 31 CFR Part 31, the Contractor(s) shall provide documentation related to conflicts of interest throughout the term of the contract.

Conflicts of interests are relationships that might impair objectivity or improperly mix private interests with obligations to the Treasury Department. Conflicts may be personal or organizational in nature.

Treasury’s Office of Internal Review may be contacted by offerors/contractors for guidance on Troubled Asset Relief Program conflict of interest requirements. The email inbox for the office is TARP.COI@treasury.gov. Offerors/contractors may hire legal counsel at their own discretion for advice on compliance with COI requirements. Costs for legal advice on COI requirements or responding to inquiries will not be reimbursed by Treasury unless expressly authorized in advance by the Contracting Officer.

28. Page 33 L.1 – Conflict of Interest Mitigation – almost appears there is no air tight way to protect against a claim of wrongdoing levied by the IRS in this area. Is this standard language for these contracts?

This conflict of interest language refers to contractor employees (not recommended board candidates). These specific conflict of interest requirements are specific to Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program, but other federal agencies do have similar conflict of interest restrictions for certain work.

29. Page 58 Attachment J-5 – Please provide details of how pricing table is expected to be used. For example:

Quantity column lists ‘40 estimated’does this pertain to number of hours, candidates deliverables or other?

The estimated quantity of 40 refers to the estimated annual volume of financial institutions where board placement services will be needed. Following contract award, task order(s) will be place to initiate and authorize work on placements for a specific quantity of institutions.