Industry Answers to Questions_As of 16 April 2024.docx

W912LQ-24-Q-0019 Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint Training Q&A

1. How many students are you requesting to be trained?

We are looking to train at least 25-30 participants (Max).

2. Will the training be onsite or virtual?

Onsite.

3. Is digital course material acceptable or printed course material required?

Printed course material Is required.

4. Will there be the same participants over the two days, or will it be a different group of participants on each day?

Same participants

5. Are there any specific skill levels or prior knowledge expectations for the participants?

Basic to Advance instructions should be presented.

6. Will there be any language or accessibility considerations for the training sessions?

No

7. Can you provide additional details on the specific content that should be covered in the PowerPoint and Excel training sessions?

PowerPoint:

· Pick a theme

· Pick a layout for your slides

· Add text

· Add a picture

· Add transitions between slides

· Present your slide show

· Share your presentation online

· Print your slides

· How to create charts in Powerpoint slides

· How to create, add, delete cells in Powerpoint slides.

Microsoft Excel:

· Charts

· Intro Worksheets

· Excel Filtering

· Sorting data

· Conditional formatting

· Protecting sheet

· Freezing Panes

· Validation function

· Formatting data

· PivotTable

· Find and replace

· Workbook

· Entering formulas

· Basic formulas such as =sum(+, -, /, *), =min, =max, =average, =count, =power, =ceiling, =floor, =replace, =subtotal, =if.

· Using multiple sheets to create a formula or chart.

8. Could you elaborate on the survey requirement mentioned in section 5.1.5?

Surveys will be provided by our company, to participants, to discuss how the training was presented and what they learned from the class.

9. What specific information or feedback are you looking to gather through this survey?

The survey is for our participants. How the training was presented. Was the information presented valuable. What was learned. Was enough information provided to assist with daily duties.

10. Are there any guidelines or templates provided for conducting the survey on instructor training?

In-house basic survey.

11. How will the government assess the effectiveness of the training sessions in meeting the specified objectives?

Collect each individual survey to see if the vendor satisfied the needs of the employees and if we will select the vendor in the future.

12. Are there any specific criteria or metrics that will be used to evaluate the performance of the training instructor?

Nothing specific just need to make sure the information is delivered clear and concise and be sure employees understand the information being presented.

13. Are there any resources or materials that will be provided by the government to support the training sessions?

Classroom, tables, chairs, projector, projector screen, printer, easel per section 3 of the PWS.

14. Are there any restrictions or limitations on the use of government-furnished items?

No.

15. Can there be 2 facilitators?

If the vendor feels the need to have 2.

16. Is travel and lodging paid for, or should it be included in my quote?

Included in quote.

17. Will hands-on practice be part of the course, if so is there a budget for class materials like workbooks?

Yes, hands on practice necessary. Budget should be included in vendor quote since they will be providing workbooks/guides/pamphlets.

18. Will you have a classroom with computers for the students to use or do we need to supply the computers for the students? Will they have to bring their own laptops?

Students will bring their own laptops.

19. Will I be able to bring my own laptop?

Instructor must bring their own laptop.

20. Will 1:1 training be required?

Not required but group training / hands on is required.

21. Has this training been done before? If so who was the vendor?

Yes. Pryor Learning

22. Is there projection equipment and internet?

Yes

23. Do you want us to include the exam cost as well?

If there is an exam cost, yes!

24. Study Materials: Do you want us to send the hard copy or the soft copy?

Send hard copy or bring with you.

25. Which version of PowerPoint and Excel?

Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise version: 16.0.17231.20290

26. Should the class last from 8:00am-4:00pm on both days, totaling 16hrs.

The vendor is the expert on the trainings. If it last until 2, 3 or 4 p.m. for each topic, then it will be as such.

27. How pages should we limit a response?

As few or many as you’d like.

28. You want both technologies covered in the two-day period?

Each should be presented separately. As the vendor being the expert, if you feel both can be conducted in one day then it will be as such. It is required the students leave the course with an understanding on how to maneuver within each software.

29. You are asking for one set of classes 15-16 May 2024 correct, no additional class dates?

No Additional class dates.

30. Can you please provide some clarity on the personal tools and materials requirement? or will that be up to the instructor to provide, as needed?

We do not offer personal tools. The government will provide projector, screen, tables, chairs, classroom, easel, internet; with the understanding that vendor will provide work booklets.

31. Are there any particular contractual terms and conditions that we should be aware of while preparing our bid, beyond those mentioned in the RFQ?

None beyond those in RFQ.

32. Can you specify if there are any particular advanced features of Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint that the Human Resource Office (HRO) is especially interested in focusing on?

It’s not only for HRO, but also for all personnel out in the field. All topics should be presented / conducted during the training, as the vendor Subject Matter Expert.

33. Are there specific challenges or goals that the HR Office wants to address in this training?

No

34. Is there a preference for electronic submission of post-training materials and follow-up resources?

Hard copy material is being requested.

35. Could you provide more detail on the evaluation criteria that will be used to assess proposals?

Per Combined Synopsis:

3. BASIS FOR AWARD:

A. The Government intends to award to the responsive, responsible vendor whose quote is the lowest price and meets the requirements as stated in the PWS for the items requested. Quotes will be evaluated to ensure the minimum requirements of the PWS can be met. The government has sole discretion in determining whether the items meet the minimum requirements. Multiple awards will not be made.

B. To be considered for an award, vendors shall have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) at https://sam.gov. Vendors are responsible to ensure the representations and certifications in their SAM registration are accurate and current.

36. Is a course outline, course schedule, etc. required along with the quote?

Not required, but welcome.

37. Is the expected level for instruction beginner, intermediate or advanced?

Beginner/Intermediate

38. What is the contractor's scope beyond training administration. For example, materials or equipment does the contractor need to provide?

Training material/work booklets/booklets Per Section 4.0 of the PWS.

39. Are there any pre or post evaluations required?

No

40. Is there a need for any media such as video?

Not unless the vendor (as the subject matter expert) feels the need to show.

41. Is there any required security clearance?

No

42. Are additional contractor staff permitted to training support if included in the quote or no charge, exclusive of the quote?

Included in quote if vendor feel the need to add another instructor.

43. Are there specific conditions for subcontractor utilization?

Subcontractor acceptance is 49% while primary contractor is 51%.

44. Is there current collateral that should or could be leveraged for the training?

No

45. Is private sector performance only acceptable?

No

46. We plan to utilize numerous media files for hands-on practice. Is it permissible for participants to load these files onto their laptops directly during the training, or should we submit these files in advance for inspection and installation by the Government’s IT personnel?

Not Permitted but vendor can show on the classroom projector/screen.

47. Considering the logistics involved in ordering and printing training materials, could you please inform us of the expected time gap between the contract award and the commencement of the training sessions?

Roughly 30 days.

48. Are the programs running at the same time (two different room)?

No, different days.

49. Two days of Excel and two days of PowerPoint run simultaneously or one day Excel and one day of PowerPoint run sequentially?

One day excel, one day PowerPoint.

50. What can you share on room layout. Instructor in the front able to connect laptop to room screen via HDMI cable?

Yes, instructor will be in the front and able to connect to cables.

51. What versions of Excel will the participants have on their computers or Microsoft 360 license?

Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise version: 16.0.17231.20290

52. Will they be working on PCs (no Macs)? All participants will have their own machines (or computer lab) to work on individually?

PCs, Each participant will have their own laptops.

53. Are assessments/ knowledge checks required or expected for the programs?

Yes

54. Are there any restrictions on participants accessing the internet or downloading information?

Internet will be accessed. Depends on the information.

55. Are there any firewalls or restrictions on receiving or sending data that we should be aware off?

NO

56. Can we have a copy of the Chief National Guard Bureau Instructions – CNGBI 1400.25, Vol. 400. (the agenda of the program needs to be in accordance with this rule).

No. The CNGBI 1400.25, Vol. 400 does not discuss this training. This training is suggested by leadership and the Office of Personnel Management.