Response_to_Questions-RFQ_VOA_Central_News-Talent_May_2018.pdf

Questions/Answers: VOA-CN-00042-PA Central News Talent May 2018

• The Government references issuing one or more BPAs. Can the government clarify if their intent is to award these BPAs using a GSA Schedule, and if so, which schedule?

A: The solicitation is set aside for total small business. BBG has not specified a particular GSA schedule; however, if you are a GSA schedule holder, please indicate your GSA contract and schedule number.

• Is the Government intending to award a separate BPA for each labor category?

A: The Government may issue multiple awards as a result of this solicitation but it may not be by each labor category.

• The instructions for Volume 2 Part I reference resumes for committed stringers. There are no stringers referenced in the attached SOWs – need clarification on where stringers are being requested.

A: The solicitation has been amended to remove the word “committed”. These are new positions.

• The Government references terminating or not exercising options under existing contracts. Will the BBG identify the existing contract holders? Why is the Government considering this action if existing contractual mechanisms are in place?

A: The solicitation has been amended to remove this sentence.

The evaluation criteria includes an evaluation of the quality of samples of past work.

This is a totally subjective evaluation criteria – how will BBG ensure this criteria is being applied uniformly to all offerors? The Government should provide specificity on how each work product will be evaluated in order to minimize grounds for protest.

A: The solicitation has been amended to remove this.

• BBG requested past performance that involves prime contractor experience on complex overseas service contracts. This appears to contradict the SOW, which indicates staff are performing in Washington DC. This requirement should be removed as it appears unnecessary based on the SOW and looks to be an overt attempt to overly restrict fair and open competition?

A: The solicitation has been amended to add domestic and overseas service contracts.

• Will the Government extend the due date by 30 days to allow for sufficient time to identify personnel and prepare work samples? The current due date appears to be overly restrictive.

A: The solicitation was amended to remove the request for samples. The due date has been extended through June 6th.

• The RFP references termination of existing contracts or not exercising options – what contract(s) is this referring to?

A: The solicitation has been amended to remove this.

• Will the Government identify labor hours by labor category or identify the number of personnel currently in place under each labor category?

A: These are new positions. Please assume a 40 hour workweek for each labor category

• BBG references resumes for committed journalists. Are these positions full time or ad-hoc? Is the Government asking for letters of commitment from all proposed personnel? Is the Government looking for one resume for each identified labor category?

A: The solicitation has been amended to remove the word “committed”. The offeror may present more than one candidate for each identified labor category.

• Are there language fluency requirements for proposed personnel?

A: No.

• Will the Government provide equipment for the proposal personnel to perform their tasks?

A: The agency will have a work station and computer for the personnel to use while on site. The agency may provide camera and other technical equipment to personnel for the sole purpose of completing an assignment. This equipment must be returned to the agency upon completion of the assignment.

• Are proposed staff housed within Central News physical location or working remotely?

A: It could be a combination of working inside the agency in Washington, DC and field assignments.

• There does not appear to be any description of the role of the Project Manager. Is there an experience or education requirement for the Project Manager? Is this a full-time position? What responsibilities will the Project Manger have?

A: The solicitation has been amended to remove this position.

• Is the PM a billable position?

A: The solicitation has been amended to remove this position.

• The evaluation criteria includes a review of the offer’s qualified and committed journalists. How does the Government intend to evaluate this? For example, are 5 committed journalists evaluated more favorably than 2? Are certain locations evaluated more favorably than others?

A: The solicitation has been amended to remove the word “committed”

• Is BBG seeking samples of work for all personnel proposed? In what format is the Government looking to receive these samples? What is the basis for reviewing and ranking work samples from one offeror to another?

A: The solicitation has been amended to remove samples provided.