Questions_and_Answers_ARI_Survey_Solicitation_20_June_2016.pdf

Questions and Answers – W15QKN‐16‐R‐0081 Survey Operations & Analytic Support IDIQ

Q1. CLIN 0001 for the 2017 SSMP is described as “ARI Survey & Analytic Support Services.” However, the PWS for the 2017 SSMP does not list any of the analytic tasks. Should the analytic and methodological support tasks (i.e., IDIQ section 5.4 tasks) be included with this PWS?

A1. Analytic and methodological tasks are not required for the “2017 Sample Survey of Military Personnel (SSMP)” Task Order.

Q2. If the analytic and methodological support tasks (i.e., IDIQ PWS section 5.4 tasks) are included with the PWS, does the Place of Performance need to be updated to be at the contractor’s facility and at the government site?

A2. Analytic and methodological tasks are not required for the 2017 SSMP Task Order.

Q3. Does the estimated IDIQ workload data include estimated hours for, Task 5.1, Task 5.2, Task 5.3

(survey development and administration tasks) and Task 5.4 (survey analytic and methodological support tasks)? The Number of hours are much lower than the estimated hours included in the 2015

Solicitation which did not include Survey Analytic and Methodological Support tasks.

A3. The estimated/illustrative IDIQ workload data provided in attachment 0012 is inclusive of all tasks.

Q4. Section 1.6.5 Place of Performance stated that the “Performance of Survey Analytic and

Methodological Support Tasks under this contract will primarily be at the Government site.” Are there tasks under section 5.4 that the Government would be willing to have completed at an off‐site location?

If so, which tasks must be completed on‐site?

A4. In accordance with IDIQ PWS paragraph 1.6.5 “Place of Performance”, Performance of Survey

Development and Administration Tasks under this contract will primarily be at the Contractor's facility.

Performance of Survey Analytic and Methodological Support Tasks under this contract will primarily be at the Government site, ARI, 6000 6th St., Fort Belvoir, V.A. 22060. Specific guidance will be provided on a task order basis in the PWS, but, in general, tasks under section 5.4 which do not require that the contractor access military personnel data from an Army or DoD administrative database may be performed at the contractor facility. For example, preparation of the Survey Methodology Briefing (in paragraph 5.4.1), which does not require access to member data may be performed at the contractor’s facility.

Q5. PWS paragraph 1.6.5 states that “Performance of Survey Analytic and Methodological Support Tasks under this contract will primarily be at the Government site.” Which if any of the following tasks can be performed remotely by the Contractor, with CAC card‐secured VPN access to DoD networks: 5.4.2.4, 5.4.3.2, 5.4.4, 5.4.5.4, 5.4.5.5, 5.4.5.6, 5.4.5.7?

A5. Tasks under section 5.4 which require access to personnel data from an Army or DoD administrative database must be performed at the Government facility and cannot be performed remotely (even with

CAC‐secured VPN access to DoD networks).

Q6. It is stated that the “Performance of Survey Analytic and Methodological Support Tasks under this contract will primarily be at the Government site.” Which if any of the following tasks can be performed remotely by the Contractor, with CAC card‐secured VPN access to DoD networks: 5.4.3.1, 5.4.3.4, 5.4.5.5, 5.4.5.8, 5.4.5.9?

A6. Tasks under section 5.4 which require access to personnel data from an Army or DoD administrative database must be performed at the Government facility and cannot be performed remotely (even with

CAC‐secured VPN access to DoD networks).

Q7. SF 1449 page 64, Section D.4.5 RFP references a “Section D: Packaging and Marking.” This section does not seem to be in the document. Should Section D be included in the document, or is not intended to be used for this procurement?

A7. The table on Page 64 is provided as a reference for the standard submission format. No “Packaging and Marking” information is provided for this effort.

Q8. SF 1449 page 63, Section D.4.5.1, Volume V calls for certifications and representations to be included in this volume. However, on page 58 Section D.2.3.1.c there is another requirement to provide one copy of certifications and representations from SAM.gov on a separate CD. Could the certifications and representations from SAM.gov be included with Volume V rather than as a separate CD?

A8. All Representations and Certifications shall be included in Volume V only. SF1449 Page 58 Section D.2.3.1.c has been amended to remove the requirement to provide one copy of certifications and representations from SAM.gov on a separate CD.

Q9. The survey requirement (SSMP) is discussed as a sample. Please clarify whether the sample will be the entire population of the military (serving, reserves, National Guard) or whether the sample will be based on the 140,000 mentioned in the documentation?

A9. For the 2017 SSMP Survey Operations Task Order, a sample of 140K Active Army and Reserve Component Soldiers (70K Active, 30K USAR, and 40K ARNG) will be selected from the population of Active Army, USAR, and ARNG Soldiers in paygrades E2‐O6.

Q10. PWS para 5.3 references 1 large‐scale survey and 5 small surveys. Please confirm these are existing surveys. Paragraph 5.3.3.1.1 and 5.3.4.1 say “Develop an online/paper survey from a Government‐ provided survey questionnaire”.

A10. The Government will provide the survey questionnaire (i.e., questions and response options, branching and skips), usually in a Microsoft Word file. The contractor will use the Government‐provided file to develop paper (i.e., printed) and online versions of the questionnaire. The contractor will NOT be required to develop questionnaire content.

Q11. Section 5.3.3.3 (page 17) says “Sample size for large scale paper surveys usually ranges from 40,000‐80,000” and section 5.3.4.4 (page 17) says “Sample for large‐scale online surveys could range from 20,000 – 100,000”. This means a maximum of 180,000 cases for both large‐scale surveys together.

There is also a line in section 5.3.1 (page 15) that indicates the sampling frame for large‐scale surveys may contain up to 120,000 cases. Please clarify.

A11. Survey response has dramatically declined, especially among junior Enlisted Soldiers and for on‐line surveys. Over the last few years, ARI has increased sample sizes and offered multiple modes (on‐line and printed formats) to increase response from key analytic subgroups. For the purposes of this contract, ARI expects that, in general, future large scale surveys will be mixed‐mode distributions (on‐ line and paper), in which up to 140,000 Active and RC sample members are invited to respond to an on‐ line survey followed by a mailing of printed surveys to, at a minimum, non‐responding RC sample members.

Q12. What are the typical sample sizes for the 5 small surveys? Are they administered at the same time or during the course of the year? Are all the 5 small surveys a combination of paper and web (like the large‐scale survey)?

A12: Although ARI expects that most of the work performed under this contract will be for large‐scale surveys, it is possible that the Government may identify a requirement which can only be met by the administration of a small‐scale survey with sample sizes varying from several hundred to under 10K. The small‐scale surveys could be on‐line, printed, or mixed mode.

Q13. Non‐response analyses: Does the Government require the contractor to do non‐response analyses only if the survey response rate is below 80%, as stated by OMB?

A13. Since virtually all large‐scale attitude and opinion surveys of military personnel have response rates well below 80%, unit (i.e., questionnaire) non‐response analysis is necessary to meet OMB requirements.

Q14. Is non‐response analyses/imputation required for every item with a response rate below 70%?

A14. In the past, item non‐response analyses have been conducted primarily on key demographic variables that are necessary for sampling, weighting, and/or analysis. However, it is possible that ARI would also request a non‐response analysis of selected other variables characterized by high non‐ response.

Q15. Non‐response analyses: Is the contractor required to do a non‐response follow up survey?

A15. At this time, ARI does not anticipate a requirement for a non‐response follow‐up survey.

Q16. Is there a proposed timeline for the administration for the 2017 SSMP?

A16. FALL 2017

Q17. The acquisition is classed as Unrestricted, although later in the document there is a requirement for a plan for including a small business, can this be clarified?

A17. “Unrestricted” means that that all responsible sources are permitted to compete. Please refer to

FAR 19.702 and FAR 52.219‐9 Alternate II for information regarding Small Business Subcontracting Plans.

Q18. Key Personnel –Army Contracting Command ‐ NJ has stipulated a predominantly consulting based team. Is this flexible as long as the consulting, reporting is managed by and completed by

"consultants"?

A18. Contractors may propose their own labor categories, however the qualifications listed in the PWS must be met.

Q19. Can one person fulfill more than one labor category specified in the RFP?

A19. Contractors may propose their own labor categories/labor mix, however the qualifications listed in the PWS must be met.

Q20. Will a FEDRAMP‐certified hosting solution satisfy the ATO requirement?

A20. Offerors shall provide either of the following regarding their information system: (a) proof that their platform information technology systems (PIT) has an existing Authority to Operate (ATO) accepted by the Government, OR (b) a System Security Plan (Attachment 0003) and the supporting documentation for Steps 1, 2, 3, 4 of the Risk Management Framework (RMF) DoDI 8510.01 (see pages

27‐34) to obtain an Interim Authorization To Operate (IATO) or ATO within 6 months of contract award, in accordance with the technical specifications described in the PWS.

Q21. Will ARI be the authorizing official for the ATO? If not, who?

A21. ARI will not be the authorizing agency for the ATO. The authorizing official will be from the Joint

Service Provider (Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense), which recently absorbed the Army’s

Information Technology Agency. (ITA had previously agreed to be the authorizing agency for the ATO.)

Q22. What are the detailed Army‐specific requirements for the ATO?

A22. Risk Management Framework (RMF) policy applies to all Army IT systems that receive, process, store, display, and/or transmit DOD/Army information. Please refer to the PWS paragraph 1.6.14.1 Risk Management Framework Compliance, PWS Part 6 Applicable Publications and page 59, paragraph D.4.1.2 of the solicitation entitled “Area of Consideration ‐ Information Systems”.

Q23. Is there a requirement for the segregated‐dedicated hosting environment?

A23. Please refer to the PWS paragraph 1.6.14.1 Risk Management Framework Compliance, PWS Part 6 Applicable Publications and page 59, paragraph D.4.1.2 of the solicitation entitled “Area of Consideration ‐ Information Systems”.

Q24. What degrees fall within the realm of behavioral science?

A24. Generally, degrees from the following disciplines are considered in the realm of behavioral or social science: psychology (and its many subfields such as social psychology, social networks, IO psychology, etc.), sociology, demography, economics, political science, anthropology, public health.

However, other disciplines/specializations which employ similar research approaches/methodologies may also be acceptable.