Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF MAY 18, 2005 FBO #1269
MODIFICATION

U -- SUPERVISORY TRAINING SERVICES

Notice Date

5/16/2005
 

Notice Type

Modification
 

NAICS

611430 — Professional and Management Development Training
 

Contracting Office

Broadcasting Board of Governors, Associate Director for Management, Office of Contracts (M/CON), 330 C Street, SW, Room 2500, Washington, DC, 20237
 

ZIP Code

20237
 

Solicitation Number

BBGCON1405S5559
 

Response Due

5/26/2005
 

Archive Date

6/10/2005
 

Point of Contact

Marlene Brooks, Contracting Officer, Phone 202-205-9664, Fax 202-260-0855,
 

E-Mail Address

mbrooks@ibb.gov
 

Small Business Set-Aside

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned
 

Description

This is Amendment No. 1 to Combined Synopsis/Solicitation No. BGCON1405S5559 posted on May 4, 2005 for U – SUPERVISORY TRAINING SERVICES. Pursuant to FAR 19.1405, the Contracting Officer has determined that this procurement be set-aside for competition restricted to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) concerns. Following are the answers to questions that were received in response to this solicitation: Q1. We need the following information at your earliest convenience: a. Copy of old contract or provide the following info from the old contract. Answer – This is a new requirement. b. Bidders list. Answer - N/A c. Current or last person/entity who performed the contract./project. Answer - N/A d. Any differences between old and new statement of work. Answer - N/A. e. Old contract amount/price or current budget. Answer - N/A f. Fax or e-mail bid submission ok? Answer – Yes, as long as entire proposal is received by the closing time and date at the location designed for receipt of proposals. Q2. Do you have to reside in Washington DC to solicite this contract? A2 – No. Q3. What are the educational requirements or teaching requirements on the supervisory training subject matter? A3 – Offerors must meet qualifications shown in Section (ix) of the solicitation. Q4. Are you at a disadvantage if you haven't done a contract with the government, even though you have taught a business management and leadership course before? A4 – Not necessarily, but IBB requires offerors to have knowledge of federal human resources regulations, policies and procedures, as it is necessary to understand these parameters will help them convey that supervisors in the federal sector must work within. Q5. Is the proposal due in May 26, 2005? A5 – Yes, the time for receipt of proposal has been changed to 2:00p.m. DST (Daylight Savings Time), May 26, 2005. Q6. What is the required information needed in the proposal? A6. – See Section (ix) of the solicitation. Q7. Is this a new solicitation? If not, could you please provide the name of the incumbent firm? A7 –This is a new solicitation/requirement. Q8. Understanding the IBB will conduct Section III of the training outline described. Will the sections be administered in order I,II,III,IV,V etc. or will IBB determine during the daily training schedule when they will want to teach section III? We are trying to determine if the instructor will be teaching, taking a breath (while IBB teaches) then continues to instruct after their completion. A8 – The training does not have to be administered in the order presented; the information was presented as a guideline to what we want taught. IBB can negotiate with the resultant awardee on the most appropriate day to present Section III. Q9. I would appreciate it if you would consider setting the above solicitation aside for Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business. A9 – This solicitation requirement has been set-aside for SDVOSBs. Q10. Can a Canadian Company, with a NCAGE and TPIN number bid on this contract? A10 – Please note that you may bid only if you qualify as a SDVOSB. Q11. Please confirm that Section 3 is not our responsibility and thus we should not make any fee provision for this module. A11 - Section 3 is the responsibility of IBB. Q12. Is it possible to know consulting fee budget guidelines for this program? A12. No Q13. Will you be provide us with office support and pay directly all reporting expenses in the duplication binding etc of all manuals; diplomas/ certificates? A13 – No. The vendor is expected to handle all expenses incurred; the vendor should anticipate all necessary costs and incorporate those costs into the price proposal. Q14. Will you pay for travel expenses to get to the city of presentation? A14 – No. Q15. Please confirm that the cost of meeting rooms, refreshments; will be paid directly by you, the client. A15 – IBB will pay for the cost of meeting rooms and refreshment related to this requirement. Q16. Can we have access to any previous successful contracts for review? A.16 – No, this is a new requirement. Q17. Is this a new Contract or has it been solicited in the past? A17 – See A7 for answer. Q18. Please confirm that pricing is requested per 3-5 day training course and each course may be delivered multiple (2-4) times per year. A18 – Yes. Q19. Where would I find the Mission and Values of IBB- I did not see them on the www.ibb.gov website. This information would be critical to drafting an appropriate proposal. A.19 – See www.bbg.gov/bbg_plan.cfm for requested information. Q20. Does the $450 a day maximum payment per training facilitator apply to this request or is that open? As we are putting together our budget for our response I want to clarify any financial limitations or restrictions to this RFP. A20 – The requesting office has not specified such a restriction. Q21. Our firm is a Service-Disabled Veteran Small Business and eligible for set-aside contracts. Please consider using this training project as a SDVOSB. A.21 – See A9 for answer. Q22. Are the IBB supervisory competencies upon which this training is to be designed already defined? If so, may we please review them? A22 – We have not defined anything beyond the outline. Q23 - Are there any prerequisites for this new supervisory training? A23 – Only that attendees must be in a supervisory or team leader position. Q24. Is this course part of a larger training curriculum, or will it serve as a standalone course? A24 – Stand alone – there will be other leadership training, but this is primarily a technical course on performance management regulations, policies, and procedures. Later courses deal with more soft skills, i.e., interpersonal skills. Q25. Will IBB handle course announcements, registration, and participant tracking? A25 - Yes Q26. Regarding the project performance schedule, the Scope of Work, Section (c) requires a draft copy of the training materials be submitted to IBB within three weeks of contract award; however, the Deliverables section of the solicitation requires a development plan of learning sessions be submitted thirty days after contract award. Which is correct? A26 – The solicitation has been revised to require both items to be delivered in 30 days after contract award. Q27. Is this training a new requirement for the agency? A27 – Yes. Q28. If not, how was this training provided in the past? A28 – N/A Q29. If the training was previously contracted out, could we know the name of contractor, length of contract, and average cost per trainee per day? A29 – See A7 above for answer. Q30. If the training was in-house, could we receive a copy of the materials used? A30 – N/A Q31. I understand that the training services will be held in a location within a 50 mile radius of Washington, DC. Will overnight accommodations be provided? A31 – No. The attendees will commute to the off-site location. It is more likely to be with in 15 miles, because participants will come from all over the Washington commuting area and it needs to be a reasonable commute for everyone. Q32 - Will evening activities be anticipated during the multi-day training sessions? A32 – No. Q33: I noticed that this RFP can be submitted via fax or e-mail. Is courier an acceptable method of delivery as well? A33: Yes. Q34. I know that each class should be 15-20 students, and I’m trying to determine how many classes would need to be offered this year? Would all 300 employees need to be trained this year? Or are you only seeking 2-4 total classes this year? I’m trying to determine the number of instructors required. A34 – We anticipate only one class this fiscal year (Base Period). 300 employees will not be trained this year. Each class will be offered 2-4 times per year beginning fiscal year 2006 (Option Year 1) until all 300 are trained. Q35.Are there specific proposal components you would like to see included? Preferred proposal outline or structure? A35 – See Section (ix) in the solicitation. Q36. Is there an incumbent provided predetermined? A36 – No. Q37. When I read the Solicitation, I didn't see any form attachments for use in making a bid. Are there any, or do I work up a proposal in my own format with quotes for the CLIN information shown on page 2. A37 – The Offeror must work up a proposal in your own format with quotes for the CLIN information shown in A40 below. However, as required in the RFP, Offerors proposals must be submitted on an SF-1449 signed by an official authorized to bind your organization. Q38. Are travel costs, lodging, printing/copying and notebook costs and other typical "out of pocket costs" are reimbursed separately or should be included in the overall costs. A38 – Offerors proposed firm-fixed price per course must be inclusive of all costs associated with providing training services for this requirement. Q39. Can you give me some guidance on what FAR 51.212-3 (mentioned on page 4) is and where to find it on the web, and also SF-1449. A39 – The required documents can be accessed by clicking on the following web links: SF-1449 – http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/formslibrary.do?formType=SF FAR Clause 52.212-3— http://www.arnet.gov/far/ha_far.html Q40. The CLIN "B.3.2" is repeated for Option Years 2-4. Is the numbering correct? Is the amount derived for Option Year 2 to be used for Option Years 3 and 4? A40 – The numbering of the CLINs, beginning with Option Year 2, is incorrect. The CLINS should be numbered as follows: CLIN B.1- Base Period (Date of contract award through September 30, 2005): CLIN B.1.1 - Planning and development of Supervisory Training course (1 Job); CLIN B.1.2 - Conduct a 3-5 day Supervisory Training course (15-20 students) (1 course); CLIN B.2-Option Year 1 (October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2006): CLIN B.2.1 - Conduct a 3-5 day Supervisory Training course (15-20 students) (Cost per course); CLINB.3 - Option Year 2 (October 1, 2006 through September 30, 2007): CLIN B.3.1- Conduct a 3-5 day Supervisory Training course (15-20 students) (Cost per course); CLIN B.4 - Option Year 3 (October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008)): CLIN B.4.1- Conduct a 3-5 day Supervisory Training course (15-20 students) (Cost per course); CLIN B.5 - Option Year 4 (October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009): CLIN B.5.1- Conduct a 3-5 day Supervisory training course (15-20 students) (Cost per course); Q41. Should the Option Year amounts (B.2, B.3, B.4, B.5) be for 2, 3, or 4 classes? A41 – Offeror’s price proposals should reflect a firm-fixed price “per course.” With the exception of the Base Period, BBG guarantees a minimum of two (2) courses to be conducted per Option Year. Q42. Are offerors responsible for merely distributing paper certificates to participants or are CEUs or other specialized certificates/credits expected? A42 – Contractor is responsible for providing and distributing paper certificates. Q43. How soon is an award expected? A43 – The end of June. Q44. Are we responsible for any costs or materials that the in-house supplied trainer will need for his/her segment of the training? A44 - No Q45. How much time will be required for the section to be taught by the in-house supplied trainer? A45 – 4-8 hours. Q46. For better preparation for the "Labor & Employee Relations" section, are the supervisors to be trained in a union environment? A46 – Most supervisors will have bargaining union employees. Q47. In "Course Scheduling Changes," it states whether or not there will be reimbursement for scheduling changes at more than 14 days, less than 14 days, but not what will happen if it is equal to 14 days. Could you clarify? A47 – The solicitation has been revised to indicate that IBB will not pay any expenses if the AR/CO notifies Contractor fourteen or more calendars days prior to the scheduled training date. Q48. Are we guaranteed to have 2 classes requested? The solicitation states that the "Contractor shall conduct the initial presentation of the requested training not later than Sept 2005." The deliverables schedule implies that the first class couldn't be any sooner than 5 weeks from award. Since proposals are due on May 26, award a month later(?), then 5 weeks for creating classes...earliest class seems to be the beginning of August. Since the end of the contract is Sept 30, 2005, what is the likelihood of us doing 2-4 classes in that timeframe of 2 months? A48 – CLIN B.1.2, as shown in the RFP, requests pricing for “1 course” to be conducted during the Base Period that ends Sept 30, 2005. Q49. Will the supervisors to be instructed be familiar with each other or are they coming from different locations? A49 – There may be cases where some supervisors may not know each other but, in all cases, supervisors will primarily come from our main headquarters location, in Washington, DC. Q50. Will the supervisors to be instructed be from the Washington, D.C. area or will some or most come from outside of the area? A50 – See A49 for answer. Q51. Page 2 of the solicitation states that the contractor will provide a draft copy of the training material to IBB within three weeks of contract award. Yet, page 4 of the solicitation states that the contractor shall submit a development plan of learning sessions 30 calendar days after contract award. This appears to be conflicting information, especially since the more intensive requirement - the actual materials - is due before the more general requirement - the development plan. Please clarify. A51 – See A26 for answer. Q52. The solicitation calls for the contractor to furnish material for review. How many copies of the material will be required? A52 – Two. Q53. There appears to be a conflict in the timeline for submission of the draft of material. The Scope of Work states the draft needs to be submitted within 3 weeks of the contract award. The Deliverables calls for a Development of Learning Plan in 30 days. Are these two items the same thing, or is the Plan a design plan with draft material to be developed from the plan. Also which is the correct time constraint. A53 - See A26 for answer. Q54. What is the anticipated availability by subject matter experts for needs analysis interviews to flush out important items such as current performance gaps in supervisory performance, learning objectives, participant needs, expected outcomes of training, current cultural climate of organization, etc. A54 – IBB’s Training Division will work with the selected contractor to get reasonable access to SME. Q55. How firm are the deadlines for course development and delivery. Are these subject to change based on design needs? A55 – 30 days is firm. Q56. When is the anticipated contract award date? A56 – The end of June. Q57. Will there be a request for course revisions to handle upgrades to the material after year one? A57 – Course revisions possible based on any changes in policies, procedures, and regulations. Q58. What type of certificate needs to be developed, and will this be the contractor's responsibility? A58 – See A42 for answer. Q59. Are there current lodging and meal per diem rates, and if so, what are they? A59 – IBB will not provide lodging or meals for contractors. Q60. Is there an incumbent service provider for Supervisory Training for IBB? A.60 – No. Q61. If there was no incumbent service provider, when was the last training provided for IBB supervisors and who provided the training? A61 – Last in-house training was 2003, individuals attended open-enrollment courses since then. Q62. Is this training tied to the President's Human Capital Management agenda? A62 – This requirement is to ensure that all supervisors receive proper training and as such, is within the President’s Human Capital Management agenda. Q63. Is competency-based training a new component to supervisory training conducted at IBB? A.63 - No. Q64. Do you all want all of the trainings sections covered in the 3-5 day sessions or will you break the sections up into 3-5 day sessions? A.64 – The total length of each course (including all sections) shall not be less than 3 days and not more than 5 days. Q65. In section 3 it reads as though your staff will be teaching that section. Are we to prepare the course work for them to present or do you all have the course prepared already? A65 – Section 3 is IBB’s responsibility. Q66. Do offerors need to develop a plan in training the 300 first line supervisors over the course of the contract or just focus on the training of 15-20 students in 2-4 classes? A66 – Focus on training the 15-20 participants per class, 2-4 classes per fiscal year. Q67. To better estimate the competency and experience level of participants, will the participants be mostly new supervisors, mostly seasoned supervisors, or an equal mix? A67 – A mix. Q68. The Summary/Solicitation states that the IBB ‘will make every effort to provide Contractor with requested classroom (flip charts, white boards, overhead projector and screen, TV/VCR, LCD projector, and laptop computer).’ Will the IBB reimburse or compensate the Contractor for expenses incurred if these materials are not supplied by the IBB? A68 – Yes, if it’s pre-approved by the IBB. Q69. Is there an incumbent for this contract? If so, what is the name of the incumbent and how any programs were developed for IBB? A69 – No, there is not an incumbent for this contract. Q70. What is the catalyst for this effort? (i.e., what are the prevalent leadership challenges and supervisory needs that precipitate this requirement?) A70 – This training is to ensure that all supervisors are well grounded in performance management rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Q71. When would IBB like to hold the first training course and where? A71 – Some time between the beginning of August, but before the end of September; training site to be determined after contract award. Q72. What type of contract is this? T&M or FFP? A72 – FFP (Firm-fixed price) Q73. What are the minimum qualifications for instructors/facilitators? A73 – See A4 for answer. Q74. Will training be held outside of the 50 mile radius indicated in the solicitation. If so, is the contractor responsible for identifying training locations? Should est. facilities costs and A/V costs be added into the cost plan as ODCs? A74 – No. Q75. How many participants are expected to attend training before September 2005? A75 – We expect to run one training session before September 30, 2005, which means we expect to train 15-20 employees. Q76. Does IBB have an existing training program in place? If so, will the contractor be required to make updates/revisions/modifications to the existing program? A76 – No. Q77. Does IBB expect that the cost of training design and development and overall project management be wrapped into the cost of each training session, or provided as a separate cost? A77 - This should be shown as a separate cost under CLIN B.1.1 – Planning and development of Supervisory Training course (1 Job). Q78. Is this a new training opportunity or has this training been offered by an outside vendor? Has the performance of the vendor been satisfactory? A78 – This is a new training opportunity. Q79. Will the answers to all questions from all respondents be shared with us? When will the response to the questions be distributed? A79 – Yes, this amendment contains answers to all questions received in response to the solicitation. Q80. When will the section presented by IBB staff be delivered? (i.e. Day one? Middle of training? Endo f training? Other?) A80 – In the middle of training. Q81. Will the outside presenter be expected to attend the session delivered by IBB staff? A81 – No. Q82. How many hours do you expect the session delivered by IBB staff to take? A82 - See A45 for answer. NOTE: THIS NOTICE WAS NOT POSTED TO WWW.FEDBIZOPPS.GOV ON THE DATE INDICATED IN THE NOTICE ITSELF (16-MAY-2005); HOWEVER, IT DID APPEAR IN THE FEDBIZOPPS FTP FEED ON THIS DATE. PLEASE CONTACT fbo.support@gsa.gov REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
 

Web Link

Link to FedBizOpps document.
(http://www.eps.gov/spg/BBG/ADM/MCONWASHDC/BBGCON1405S5559/listing.html)
 

Record

SN00809021-F 20050518/050516213030 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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