17-R-0009_Q&A.pdf

W912EK-17-R-0009 - Q&A

1. QUESTION: On page 32 of the RFP, we are required to address the following in our proposal: “The Offeror SHALL submit documentation discussing program quality with emphasis on the ability to issue leadership training certificates to include CEU’s or CLP’s and the ability for the completed courses to transfer into college credits. This document should not exceed five (5) pages.” While I am confident in our ability to provide CEUs, I do not have any knowledge or insight as to transfer into college credits.

My assumption is that every college is different and the requirements for transferability will be different for each one. From our experience, all we can account for is the CEU component. What a college/university does with it will be entirely up to them, and completely out of our control. Can you provide some guidance on this issue?

ANSWER: The coursework needs to be provided by an organization that is accredited (which provides the ability for a graduate to apply completed learning towards college level credit).

2. QUESTION: While the RFP is listed as “Unrestricted,” is there any price preference provided for a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business firm? I am assuming there is not as I could not find any explanation accordingly but, can you confirm?

ANSWER: No Preference is given.

3. QUESTION: I found the solicitation W912EK-17-R-0009 Leadership Development 2 on FedBizOpps. I am emailing to clarify if this is a solicitation or a draft document? Reading the announcement on FedBizOpps I was not clear as to the document.

ANSWER: This is a solicitation document.

4. QUESTION: Can this be assigned for small business given the scope?

ANSWER: No, but small businesses are welcome to provide proposals.

5. QUESTION: Travel – Must the contractor live within the district?

ANSWER: Not a requirement however a backup must be provided if not local as weather related travel issues will not be acceptable excuse for cancelling any scheduled training event.

6. QUESTION: The participants are of what age span?

ANSWER: Can you elaborate on the importance of the ages in conjunction with presenting the requested training?

7. QUESTION: Is this a new contract or renewal?

ANSWER: New Contract.

8. QUESTION: It states that the workshops need to be 50 miles outside of District Headquarters?? Do all workshops need to be conducted 50 miles away?

ANSWER: See Amendment.

9. QUESTION: Additionally, does the LDP 2 stand for anything in particular and if so do you have the stated goals and objectives.

ANSWER: Leadership Development Program Level 2 is designed for mid-level employees preparing to take on more formal leadership, team lead, or management roles. The program focuses first on self-awareness, then teamwork, and finally touches on organizational values. Program objectives are to enhance and develop skills to stimulate continued personal and professional growth and develop leaders who encourage innovation, teamwork, and partnerships. The program focuses on building individual confidence, encouraging innovation and developing interpersonal communication skills.

Participants learn how to differentiate between leadership and management skills and understand the need for both sets of skills. Participants also develop awareness and understanding of the visions and values of the Corps of Engineers and its leaders through interaction with senior leadership during the program.

10. QUESTION: You desire 120 hours of instruction. Are the two off-site workshops (16-hours each x 2 = 32 hours), included in that 120 umbrella, or are they to be in addition to the 120 hours of face-to-face?

ANSWER: We desire 80-120 hours of instruction which includes the following: Orientation (4-8 hours), 2 off-site workshops (2-3 days each including travel time to/from location), 5 monthly training sessions (8 hours each), and a graduation day (4 hours). 80 hours would be the total hours if workshops are 2 days each. 96 hours would be total hours is workshops were 3 days each. Would like to leave some flexibility as the way the curriculum is laid out for each vendor might change if we require 2 or 3 days at each workshop. One might end up being 2 while the other is 3. This time also includes travel to/from so usually ½ day is spent traveling.

11. QUESTION: We are licensed to issue CEUs by IACET. However, if you desire the CEUs to transfer for college credit, we recommend the course be accredited by ACE (American Council on Education).

This process takes a few weeks, but we are familiar with the type of program review they’ll conduct.

Must bidding contractors already be in possession of an ACE-approved 120 our leadership course, or can we simply be licenses by another issuing-body, and promise to become ACE approved by X date?

ANSWER: Contractor must show they are able to provide college credit at time of proposal.

12. QUESTION: Task 3 on page 7 is asking for the curriculum plan. Providing the entire course would be a substantial submittal for a solicitation. Can you be more detailed on your expectations.

ANSWER: The Contractor shall provide whatever they feel is necessary for the technical team to determine if their program meets the requirements listed in the PWS.

13. QUESTION: Scheduling: How often would you like face-to-face instruction? Monthly, bi-monthly?

One day at a time, or two days?

ANSWER: Monthly and always face-to-face. Other than the orientation, two workshop months, and graduation, everything else should be 1 day per month. Did CT include the timeline I provided for this solicitation? That may have answered thsese questions.

14. QUESTION: Internet Access: We utilize a 360-degree tool that utilizes internet access. Will attendees have laptop access in the instruction facility?

ANSWER: Arrangements can be made to have laptops although not all students will most likely have them. In the past it has worked nicely to have the 360 done outside of the training event and reports in hand to review when together. Some of our workforce are wage grade employees and do not have a computer and aren’t always computer savvy.

15. QUESTION: Do you require the vendor to be bonded?

ANSWER: Not sure what this means.

16. QUESTION: Is the ability for course completion to transfer into college credits an absolute requirement?

ANSWER: Yes.

17. QUESTION: Are interested vendors able to access the list of questions and answers that have been asked by others? Can you provide that list or the location where we may find it?

ANSWER: Answers to all questions will be posted with amendment.

18. QUESTION: Is this requirement going to be evaluated on a technically acceptable lowest price criteria?

ANSWER: See amendment.

19. QUESTION: Who is the incumbent?

ANSWER: Evans and Associates Consulting Corp

20. QUESTION: Are there any page restrictions for this proposal?

ANSWER: No

21. QUESTION: Are there any special formatting requirements for this proposal regarding font type, font size, etc?

ANSWER: No

22. QUESTION: Will the contractor be expected to provide oversight, facilitation and/or administration for student participation when attending some district staff meetings and interacting with district leadership as referred to in Page 6, paragraph 2 (2. OBECTIVE)?

ANSWER: No, that will be handled internally unless contractor wishes to integrate leadership in any of the training components.

23. QUESTION: Will there be an opportunity for the contractor to meet with the COR before the orientation meeting referred to on Page 6, paragraph 3 (a. Task 1) of the solicitation in order to have sufficient opportunity to ask organizational questions so the contractor can better tailor the deliverables?

ANSWER: Yes.

24. QUESTION: Will the contractor be responsible for creating and administering the mentoring program referred to in Page 6, paragraph 3 (a. Task 1)?

ANSWER: Yes, we expect the contractor to have ability to facilitate discussions on how to select a mentor as well as lead discussion on roles and responsibilities of mentors and mentees including goal setting.

25. QUESTION: What is the contractor’s responsibility for assisting the student participants in selection and interacting with mentors as referred to on Page 6, paragraph 3 (a. Task 1)?

ANSWER: Yes, we expect the contractor to have ability to facilitate discussions on how to select a mentor as well as lead discussion on roles and responsibilities of mentors and mentees including goal setting.

26. QUESTION: Will the contractor be expected to provide guest speakers – both internal and external for this program as referred to on Page 6, paragraph 1?

ANSWER: In conjunction with the COR, contractor will be expected to identify external guest speakers as necessary. Scheduling of internal speakers will be completed by COR with input from contractor.

27. QUESTION: Will the contractor be expected to write and deliver IDPs for the student participants as referred to on Page 6, paragraph 3 (a. Task: 1)? If so, will the contractor have the opportunity to meet with the student participants prior to the orientation meeting to gain sufficient background to prepare an appropriate IDP with each student participant? If not, who will have this responsibility?

ANSWER: Government workers already have IDPs in place. A contractor is welcome to provide an additional method for setting personal and professional goals if they wish.

28. QUESTION: Will the contractor be expected to facilitate the initial orientation meeting as referred to on Page 6, paragraph 3 (a. Task: 1)? If so, will there be an opportunity for the contractor to meet with the COR before the orientation meeting to review expected meeting format? If not, who will have this responsibility and what is the expected role of the contractor at this initial orientation meeting?

ANSWER: Contractor will facilitate the Orientation in conjunction with the COR. A meeting before orientation is likely necessary to ensure a successful orientation and program launch.

29. QUESTION: Will the contractor be expected to organize and/or facilitate the follow-up application sessions between the student participants and the district senior leadership as referred to on Page 7, paragraph 2 (d. Task 4:). If not, who will have this responsibility?

ANSWER: No. The COR will monitor this.

30. QUESTION: Will contractors be expected to initiate, administer and monitor the setting of personal leadership goals, incorporating mentor collaboration and providing leadership experiences for the student participants as referred to on Page 7, paragraph 3 (d. Task 4:)?

ANSWER: Yes.

31. QUESTION: Is it acceptable for the contractor to make arrangements for offsite recreational team building activities such as ropes courses, etc. as part of the curriculum for the two team building sessions?

ANSWER: Yes and we would welcome any participation in low ropes course (no high ropes due to liability issues).

32. QUESTION: Will the contractor be responsible for providing food and beverages for the orientation meeting, teambuilding sessions, training sessions and graduation?

ANSWER: No.

33. QUESTION: May we assume the government training facilities used for training sessions will have tables and chairs?

ANSWER: Yes.

34. QUESTION: May we assume the government training facilities used for training sessions will have AV projector and screen? Internet access?

ANSWER: Yes.

35. QUESTION: Pertaining to Page 9 – Pre-screen candidates using eVerify program:

a. Does this pertain to candidates for the Leadership program or the contractor’s staff?

ANSWER: Contractor staff.

b. If this pertains to the contractor staff, does this requirement need to be fulfilled BEFORE we submit our proposal or is it acceptable to provide this proof upon acceptance?

ANSWER: Proof upon acceptance is acceptable.

36. QUESTION: How are the 8-15 participants identified? Are they high potentials? If so, how is that defined? Is there a diversity component that was considered in selection of program participants? What is their expected path after completion of the program?

ANSWER: We have an internal application and evaluation process completed by senior leadership.

The only diversity we look at is to ensure there aren’t multiple participants from the same office as it changes up the group dynamics and discussion. Applicants are required to give back to the program and district by serving as a mentor or volunteering for other program opportunities to help out after graduation. The next step in their leadership development would be our regional Emerging Leaders program through our Division Headquarters. The goal is for participants to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to move into leadership positions in the future.

37. QUESTION: What electronic tools does the Army Corp of Engineers currently have for use in terms of career tools (IDP capability, succession planning tools, etc.)?

ANSWER: We are in the process of launching a new training management tool and introducing the new IDP within the system to the workforce. We limit the use of electronic driven tools since more than half of our workforce are located at field locations where they may not have a computer or have an opportunity to utilize one very often.

38. QUESTION: What is the budget (or is there one) to incorporate experiential learning into the design?

ANSWER: We cannot provide this information.

39. QUESTION: What does the client anticipate/expect in terms of supervisor involvement/accountability/support of their employee during this leader development program?

ANSWER: Supervisors signs off on application packet and writes a utilization and backfill plan for their employee. They are expected to support the employee for all aspects and training sessions for the program. If issues arise with the supervisor support, they are addressed as necessary on case by case basis.

40. QUESTION: What level college credit is the Government looking for i.e. undergraduate or graduate?

And for what institution?

ANSWER: Undergraduate and/or Graduate. There is no specific institution required.

41. QUESTION: For college credit, are the 8-15 participants willing to take a final exam and write a paper? Will the participants be willing to complete the application process to apply? If this is just in case, we have frequently worked with institutions afterwards to help facilitate that process.

ANSWER: The Government is only asking if you have the ability to transfer the courses to college credit.

42. QUESTION: Why is the Government asking for course credit for this program? It is hard to give credit when a program like this is considered more of a survey course and not a full college course on one topic.

ANSWER: Market Research indicated there are vendors that are able to provide course credit.

43. QUESTION: For CEUs - What association does the Government need them for (e.g. SWE for women engineers, etc.)

ANSWER: Multiple reasons, mostly continuing education requirements for a variety of positions from engineers, to project managers to lawyers, etc.…

44. QUESTION: What is the purpose of CEUs? Do the participants need them on their record?

ANSWER: The purpose of CEU's is for our professional position employees to gain continuing education for their specific license or certification that requires continuing education.

45. QUESTION: IF the Government wants this program accredited, is the Government willing to pay an additional cost for that to happen?

ANSWER: No.

46. QUESTION: Are there any current efforts in Leadership Development area?

ANSWER: See Solicitation.

47. QUESTION: What reinforcement is being planned so that the learning sticks?

ANSWER: The reinforcement should mostly come from the contractor throughout the year teaching participants’ ways to continually apply the learning in their everyday life.

48. QUESTION: How are attendees' managers involved in the process?

ANSWER: They should have a few check-in points with their supervisor throughout the program. The supervisor also completes a utilization and backfill plan for the employee during the application process.

49. QUESTION: What is the vendor responsibility for the graduation ceremony - planning and carrying out or just having certificates?

ANSWER: The graduation ceremony will be planned by the contractor in conjunction with the COR.

50. QUESTION: Other than 5 page limit for the Quality section, is there a page limit for the technical volume of the proposal?

ANSWER: No.

51. QUESTION: Is there a preferred format for Price volume? Is the Government looking for a fixed– price fully loaded contract?

ANSWER: Contractor needs to fill out page 3 and 4 of the solicitation with unit and total cost for each year.