Questions_and_Answers_W912LP-18-Q-3005_(01_11_2018).pdf

Questions and Answers Editorial and Advertising Package Solicitation W912LP-18-Q-3005

1/3/2018 Q1. Can companies outside the USA provide a quote for this request?

A1. Companies located in countries that have trade agreement(s) with the USA may submit proposals. Companies must perform all services required by the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and Request for Proposal (RFP), AND must comply with all terms and conditions of the applicable trade agreement(s). Foreign companies shall identify all applicable trade agreement(s) within their proposal. Foreign companies must be from a qualifying country as defined in DFARS Part 225.

Q2. If outside companies are authorized to provide a quote for this request, will they be required to come to the Requestor (RRB in Iowa) for meetings?

A2. Yes, foreign companies will be required to perform all tasks in accordance with the PWS, to include attending meetings in Iowa, if required (PWS Section 1.4.2), and conducting an informational event in Des Moines, Iowa (PWS Section 6.3).

Q3. Can the outside company perform the tasks related to the RFP outside of the USA (e.g., from India or Canada)?

A3. A foreign company may perform tasks from countries that have trade agreement(s) with the USA, if the specific tasks are allowed under the trade agreement(s) AND meet all other requirements of the PWS.

Q4. Can we submit the proposals via email?

A4. Reference the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation and Attachment 3, Submission

Requirements.

1/5/2018 Q5. a) Is there an incumbent contractor currently performing these services or is this a new requirement?

b) If there is an incumbent, could you please provide the contract number?

A5. This is a new requirement; there is no incumbent.

1/10/2018 Q6. In Sec 1.1, is the editorial series referring to paid print ads created in the style of a journalistic article/editorial or more like a normal ad? In other words, is the goal to look less like a paid ad and more like an article?

A6. Paragraph 1.1 is the general scope of the project, and paragraph 3.0 and its subparagraphs provide the breakdown of the requirement. The requirement is for a combination of a journalistic article/editorial plus an ad each week of the 10-week editorial series. Each week, the editorial series should include a professional article on relevant college debt issues that young Iowans are facing. In conjunction with the editorial, there should be an IA ARNG RRB ad to offer a possible solution to the issue.

Q7. In Sec 1.2, who are the (COI) Centers of Influence that they'd like to target?

A7. Centers of Influence are individuals who can help foster a better image of the Iowa Army National Guard (IA ARNG), influence individuals to enlist or re-enlist in the IA ARNG, provide Recruiting personnel with prospects, or refer names of leads to Recruiters. COI’s are primarily educators, but may include civic or business leaders, parent or family members, employers, members of professional groups, current students identified as class leaders, or influencers. Basically, anyone who could influence our target demographic to join the Iowa Army National Guard is a COI. (Reference PWS Revision 1, paragraphs 2.1.1 and 2.2)

Q8. In Sec 6.1.3, are the digital ads limited to 300x250 and 728x90 or can we create and run other digital ad sizes that might be available on targeted websites?

A8. Digital ads are not limited in size, but given as a minimum requirement.

Offerors should identify the digital sizes being offered for each proposed website.

Q9. In Sec 6.3 We'd like a little more clarification on the expectations for the informational event night. Is the contractor responsible for handling all event planning including the programming/speakers for the event and marketing/promotion of this event?

A9. Yes, the contractor will be responsible for all event planning, programming, and promotion of the event, which is envisioned to be a Career Fair-style/ college education event. The contractor shall provide booth space at the event for the IA ARNG RRB. (Reference PWS Revision 1, paragraph 6.3)

Q10. Can you please elaborate on item 6.2?

A10. The intent is for the Recruiting and Retention Branch (RRB) to have input into the editorial content and allow them to suggest necessary adjustments to the marketing/advertising team as trends change in their audience/reach. The telephone and email support would be in support of that effort. (Reference PWS Revision 1, paragraph 6.2)

Q11. Regarding the qualifications noted in section 5.1-5.2 and the requirements in 6.1-6.2, should we price out the package based on delivering these goals?

A11. The number of impressions for both print and digital are expressed in a range, and any proposed number of impressions within the range will be considered.

To clarify, the impression ranges indicated in paragraphs 5.1, 5.2, 6.1.4 and

6.1.5 refer to the total number of impressions over the course of the 10-week series, not the number of impressions for each week. (Reference PWS Revision 1, paragraphs 5.2 and 6.1.5 for corrected digital impression range)

Q12. Can the 728x90 ads be substituted with 320x50?

A12. Reference A8 above.