B08-Amendment 2_QA as of 21 AUG2024.pdf

QUESTION # DOCUMENT PAGE # SECTION/PARAGRAPH # QUESTIONS/COMMENTS GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

Q1 FOA 20 E. Proposal Review Information Consortium Manager: will this be a separate full-time position, or can it be an incumbent faculty member acting as the Consortium Manager?

It is up to the applicant to propose what they believe is appropriate for personnel to meet the requirements of the FOA.

Q2 FOA 6

1.0 Description of Consortium

Manager Responsibilities How will the consortium manage success?

Responsibilities of the Consortium Manager are detailed in Section 1.0 of the

FOA.

Q3 FOA 29 Cooperative Agreement Proposals Do you anticipate this work being a blend of classified, CUI, and unclassified?

This work is unclassified. If a project is determined to have CUI, the project will be identified and labeled as such. No classified work is expected under this cooperative agreement.

Q4 FOA 15 C. Eligibility Information Does the applicant have to be an institution, or does it have to be an entity outside of the institution? Eligibility requirements are stated in the FOA.

Q5 FOA 21 / 23

Factor (3) Past Performance / Table

2. Past Performance Relevancy

Ratings

Regarding Past Performance – If an institution already has a consortium with minority institutions does that count as a positive review?

Past performance definitions are stated in the FOA.

Q6 FOA 15 C. Eligibility Information We are not a 501(c)(3). Is this a situation where is it appropriate to team with a 501(c)(3), or is this not for us (a for profit company)?

The Recipient must be an established (or must become established prior to award) as an Internal Revenue Code 501(c)3 compliant, tax-exempt non-profit organization, and must manage the Consortium of MSIs and HBCUs offering

STEM education with research capabilities in basic, applied and advanced research.

Q7 FOA 7 para 1.12 Do you have any tech needs or tech vehicles you are thinking about for these projects?

At this time we do not have anything specifics to provide. The FOA discusses the white paper process which is when and where we would see some of this specificity.

Q8 FOA 6

1.0 Description of Consortium

Manager Responsibilities, para 1.9 We are an HBCU and MSI and we are wondering how do we become part of the consortium?

The Recipient (consortium manager) will be required to establish a process for connecting with MSIs and HBCUs.

Q9 FOA 20 E. Proposal Review Information Regarding the 5 factors – are these weighted equally?

The award decision will be based on an overall evaluation of each applicant’s proposal in accordance with the factors set forth in the FOA.

Q10 FOA 3 Background Would the existing consortium stay in place?

We are awarding a new CA to a Consortium established by the Consortium

Manager organization receiving the award as a result of this FOA.

Q11 FOA 7

1.13 Eligibility Criteria for

Membership.

Does the current membership stay intact? Do the members have to reapply for membership?

We are awarding a new CA to a Consortium established by the Consortium

Manager organization receiving the award as a result of this FOA.

Q12 FOA 6

1.0 Description of Consortium

Manager Responsibilities, para 1.12

There is a statement of the value being $150M over a 10 year period. Presumably, that is made up of a large number of projects at smaller levels. How are those projects initiated? Does the Government reach out to the Consortium Manager, or does the Consortium Manager have to sell ideas to someone in the Federal Government?

The Consortium Manager (CM) coordinates with the HBCU and MSIs and presents project(s) to the Government which support the intent stated within the

FOA.

Q13 FOA 5

II. Detailed Information About the

Funding Opportunity

Are there any other RFIs or Opportunities for a procurement contract or it is limited only this procurement?

This opportunity is for a Cooperative Agreement and not a procurement contract. Suggest monitoring SAM.gov for other listings and opportunities.

The cooperative agreement’s public purpose is to ensure the United States will continue to maintain and enhance its technological dominance in a competitive world in consonance with 10 USC 4144.

Q14 FOA 15 C. Eligibility Information Is there a preference for a larger Hispanic serving institution to take the lead, or a smaller HBCU? Is there a preference for a R1 vs R2?

All MSIs and HBCUs of higher education that meet the definition of “Covered

Educational Institution,” 10 U.S.C. 4144(f) and offer an undergraduate or graduate degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics are eligible for membership.

Q15 FOA 13 B. Federal Award Information Of the 150M budget – is a portion of that budget managing the consortium and the remaining portion allocated for conducting research?

The allocation of the funding is outlined in the FOA in section B. Federal

Award Information.

Q16 FOA 13 B. Federal Award Information Is the 150M budget the contract ceiling; are we actively trying to find people to get that research funding, or is it already imbedded in this effort?

The Consortium Manager and the Government will work together to help find

Government sponsors and funding for HBCU/MSI research projects.

Q17 FOA 13 B. Federal Award Information As an example, in the first year, we could generate a white paper that says we want to do $5M for a particular topic, and we submit a proposal, who would evaluate that proposal?

ACC/DEVCOM will review in the proposal and coordinate with the

Consortium manager.

Q18 FOA 28 Incumbent Performer Who is the existing manager? MSI STEM MSRDC as mentioned in the FOA.

Q19 FOA 15 / 4

D. Application and Submission

Information / 7. Response Dates What is the process to submit a proposal? What is the deadline?

In accordance with the FOA, final proposals are due no later than 12 September

2024 by 3:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time (EST). The FOA also describes the process for proposals to be submitted. Proposals are required to be submitted through Grants.gov.

Q20 FOA 13 B. Federal Award Information

The research money does not come out of the $150M ceiling. One of the goals is to increase graduation rates in STEM from these institutions; can we have professional development programs that are directly funded from these, i.e., student travel to conferences, or do we need to seek sponsors for those type of activities as well?

The ceiling of $150M includes research projects, consortium costs/research management costs. Any additional funding is required to come from sponsor organizations.

Q21 FOA 28 Incumbent Performer Regarding the existing consortium, can you post the link to their website? https://www.msrdconsortium.org/

Q22 FOA 15 C. Eligibility Information Is the existing CA eligible to apply? Yes.

Q23 FOA 20 E. Proposal Review Information

When the proposal is submitted, do you have to have all of the consortium members identified, or can you just talk to the logistics of how the consortium is going to run, and then once awarded you can build the constituency of schools?

No, all consortium members are not required to be identified within the proposal. See the FOA for specific proposal content information.

Q24 FOA 13 B. Federal Award Information Regarding the ceiling (the $150M), is that the ceiling for consortium management and operation or does that include project funding as well?

That is the total estimated cost for a 10 year period of performance.

Q25 FOA 20 E. Proposal Review Information It seems that there are some strategy questions asked regarding proposal strategy. Does the

Government provide strategy on proposal approaches?

No, the Government does not provide strategies on proposal approaches. The purpose of this Agreement is for the applicant, to establish, manage and provide oversight of a Consortium of MSIs and HBCUs to support and stimulate research and technology development at educational institutions pursuant to 10 USC 4144. Criteria for the proposal is stated in the FOA.

Q26 FOA 15

D.1. Address to View Funding

Opportunity

Can/will questions submitted by email be disseminated more broadly? If so, where to look for formal responses?

For formal responses, please visit grants.gov and sam.gov. An amendment will be made to post the Opportunity Day presentation as well as a Q&A attachment.

Q27 FOA 15

D.1. Address to View Funding

Opportunity Can we have a copy of the slides that were presented on Opportunity day?

The slides will be posted as part of the amendment to SAM.gov and

Grants.gov.

Q28 FOA 28 G. Federal Award Agency Contacts Who do I contact for additional questions? Stacey Jump - email: stacey.l.jump.civ@army.mil

Q29 FOA 7 1.13 Eligibility Criteria

Does the consortium have to be designed similarly to the prior one were any and ALL hbcu and msi’s should have access? Or could the consortium focus on a select group of hbcus and msi schools with a strategic plan to include other msi, hbcus, and pwi schools as partners to the confined group to conduct and advance these research areas of interest? The consortium is open to any and all HBCUs and MSIs.

Q30 FOA 4 7. Response Dates When is the last day to ask questions - there are two different dates in the FOA? 9-Aug-24

Q31 FOA 13 B. Federal Award Information

Will the funding of $150 million be awarded to the Consortium Manager with the understanding the funding will be issued to the consortium members through a subaward?

All funding executed through this agreement will be awarded to the consortium manger for subaward to the HBCU and MSI members.

Q32 FOA 22 Factor (5) Cost

According to Pg. 22 of the FOA; Factor (5) Cost it states:

“Applicants should provide a cost estimate for the establishment and management of a consortium, ramping up to 10 FTEs in the first year, based on the ramp up of the program, identify any additional

FTEs that may be needed to manage the program over the 10 year period of performance. Applicants should segregate the start-up cost from the remaining cost estimate for management of the consortium. Once awarded, the recipient consortium manager shall receive the startup funding of

$500,000.00 described above, with any additional funding provided by each assigned research task.”

Does this mean we need to have one budget for the $500k startup funding and 10 FTEs and another budget for the rest of the program?

The government requires one budget for the $500K for consortium start up and management costs. The 10 FTEs were provided for historical information only.

Industry Questions and Government Responses Received after 12 August 2024

Q33 FOA 22 Factor (5) Cost

According to Pg. 22 of the FOA; Factor (5) Cost it states:

“The applicant may either propose specific costs to support each added research task or propose a fixed percentage of administrative cost to be paid in addition to the agreed upon amount for each effort funded. If a fixed administrative cost is proposed, then the basis of such cost should be detailed in the cost proposal. Any fixed administrative cost will be negotiated on a yearly basis such that this cost most closely represents the actual administrative costs necessary to manage the consortium.“

Is this statement referring to the university’s federal negotiated F&A rate? Should we be applying our

F&A rate or is there a cap?

Per the FOA, the Recipient will receive startup funding of $500,000.00, with any additional funding provided by each assigned research task. The applicant may either propose specific costs to support each added research task or propose a fixed percentage of administrative cost to be paid in addition to the agreed upon amount for each effort funded. If a fixed administrative cost is proposed, then the basis of such cost should be detailed in the cost proposal.

This fixed administrative cost referred to in the FOA is different than a federal negotiated F&A rate, which represents indirect costs that would be a part of the cost in any cost proposal, along with other cost elements, e.g., labor costs. Any fixed administrative cost will be negotiated on a yearly basis such that this cost most closely represents the actual administrative costs necessary to manage the consortium.

Q44 FOA 21 Factor (2) Management Does the FOA allow for a consortia co-lead?

The government requires one Consortia manager as their main point of contract.

Q45 FOA 21 Factor (2) Management Do we need partner letters from HBCU/MSI and other potential consortia members? Partner Letters are not required as part of proposal submission.

Q46 FOA 21 Factor (2) Management

What types of employment can count toward FTE: full time, part time, independent contractors, visiting scholars, etc.? Is this a USC or DoD/FOA question?

For the government, all types of employee can count toward FTE. Second question is unclear.

Q47 FOA 23 Factor (5) Cost What number should our initial budget be based on, just the $500k to set up the consortia? The government is only providing 500K for set up of the consortia.

Q48 FOA 20 Factor (1) Technical Plan

FOA Section II.E.1. Factor 1 – Technical plan references FOA Sections 2.1-2.12; however, no such sections exist. Question: Should the reference be changed to Sections 1.1-1.12? concur correct reference section 1.1.1.12

Q49 FOA 18 ATTACHMENT 3

FOA Section II.D.2 Attachment 3 states “Complete the following (see below) Representations under

DoD Assistance Agreements: Appropriations Provisions on Tax Delinquency and Felony

Convictions.” We are unable to locate the representations information referenced “see below.”

Question: Will the Government please clarify this “see below” reference?

The "Representations Under DoD Assistance Agreement: Appropriations Provisions on Tax Delinquency and Felony Convictions” form has been uploaded to sam.gov and grants.gov as "B08 - Attachment 3 Tax-and-Felony- Representation-Form".

Q50 FOA 15 C. Eligibility Information

Does the formation of the 501(c)(3) need to be an entirely separate legal entity or would the government consider a division of a current non-profit entity to be acceptable ?

For this opportunity the applicant must be a non-profit organization categorized as a 501(c)(3)

Q51 FOA 13 B. Federal Award Information How should the proposal address the funding distribution over the 10 years?

The applicant should refer to Table 1. MSI and HBCU STEM Consortium

Program Award Lifecycle, pg. 13 of the FOA for estimated funding distribution.

Q52 FOA 13 B. Federal Award Information

Are there specific guidelines for annual budgeting with regard to research and development, and consortium management? Yes, depending on the type of funding and Fiscal Year of appropriation

Q53 FOA 13 B. Federal Award Information Can funding be carried over from one year to the next if not fully utilized? Yes.

Q54 FOA 22 Factor (4) Credentials

Do we need to select the consortium manager before submitting the proposal, or can the selection be made after the award?

Proposals should be submitted in accordance with the criteria identified in the

FOA. Please refer to Factor (4) credentials, pg. 22 of the FOA.

Q56 FOA 13 B. Federal Award Information

Is consortium management funding limited to $500,000 per year for the life of the agreement or can it scale with the volume of research activities to be managed? The only guaranteed budget is the 500K for standing up the consortium team.

Q57 FOA 21 Factor (2) Management Is there a minimum number of partners required to submit a proposal?

As a result of this FOA, we will be awarding to an applicant that is a non-profit to manage the consortium. Consortium members can be identified at time of proposal and anytime after award.

Q58 FOA 21 Factor (2) Management

What level of commitment is required from support institutions? i.e. faculty member, dean, provost, president.

It is up to the applicant to determine the level of commitment from the support institutions.

Q59 FOA 21 Factor (3) Past Performance Are letters of support accepted?

Letters of support are not required with this FOA. Please refer to the FOA

Factor (3) Past Performance for Government requirements.

Q60 FOA 23 Factor (5) Cost Is the first year's budget guaranteed?

The only guaranteed budget is the 500K for standing up the consortium team.

Q61 FOA 13 B. Federal Award Information Will the consortium be required or permitted to seek tasks from potential sponsors? The Consortium will need to seek tasks/projects from potential sponsors.