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R -- ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES SOL 40AATA-8-09112 DUE 081798 POC Contract Specialist, Mary B. Kreh, 301/713-0829x202/Contracting Officer, Norbert F. Szymanski, Jr., 301/713-0829x207 This is a modification is in response to questions received regarding the synopsis published on July 13, 1998, Cite W-194 SN222342 and a modification published on July 20, 1998, Cite W-201, SN225655 in the CBD. As stated in the original synopsis all questions and answers would be published. They are as follows: QUESTION 1: Is the contractor responsible for the task of having the technical seminars, outreach conferences and training programs recorded and a verbatim transcript prepared for each as documentation of the topics discussed? ANSWER: No. QUESTION 2: Would the contractor be the point of contact regarding this portion of the contract to be subcontracted to a firm to provide? ANSWER: Yes, if there is a subcontractor. QUESTION 3: Please provide a copy of the solicitation. ANSWER: The CBD synopsis IS the solicitation. QUESTION 4: Does the ETE Office intend to hire multiple contractors under an indefinite quantity contract -- type arrangement in which the contract winners are expected to competitively bid on task orders assigned by the ETE, up to the award value? ANSWER: No, the Government expects award to only one contractor. QUESTION 5: Is the ETE Office looking for each contractor to submit a proposal describing a general overview of capabilities to complete any number of projects described in the solicitation, and multiple awards will then be made? ANSWER: As stated in the original synopsis, each prospective bidder is to submit their technical proposal addressing the evaluation criteria. As stated in the answer to question 4, the Government expects only one award. The awarded contractor will be asked to present brief technical and cost proposals as each task order is required by the Government. QUESTION 6: Is the ETE Office looking for the company to submit one specific project that the contractor has in mind to do, together with a proposed estimate of its implementation cost? ANSWER: No, the contract will be awarded on an all or none basis. The awarded contractor must be able to meet all of the technical requirements as stated in the evaluation criteria. QUESTION 7: How many bidders will the ETE Office choose? ANSWER: Only ONE award will be made. QUESTION 8: How many task orders do you expect the award value (estimated US $90,000) will finance? ANSWER: One to four task orders. QUESTION 8: Does the ETE anticipate continued partnership with the contract winner for future work beyond the estimated award value? ANSWER: All future awards must also be on a competitive basis. QUESTION 9: What is the page limit, if any, for the cost proposal and the technical proposal? ANSWER: There are no limits. QUESTION 10: Is there specific documentation required for demonstrating that we are a small business? ANSWER: No. QUESTIONS 11 & 12: What is the SIC Code for the small business set aside? What size standard is being used to define Small Business? ANSWER: This is no relevant. The original synopsis was modified on July 20, 1998, Cite W-201 SN225655 from a small business set aside to full and open competition. QUESTION 13: Can the Department of Commerce (DOC) more clearly specify the desired structure for technical proposals submitted in response to this solicitation? For example: a) Can a page limit be established for the technical proposal? b) Are full resumes required for proposed staff or will biosketches suffice? What length is desired for resumes/biosketches? Are resumes/ biosketches required at all? c) Are resumes/biosketches required for all proposed staff or only for key staff? If the latter, what is the definition of key staff ? d) In addition to text addressing the five evaluation criteria, are descriptions of past projects/contracts desired? If so, what data should be supplied for each? ANSWER: a) There is no page limit on the technical proposal. It is up to the bidder to determine how much information is necessary for determination by the Government as whether or not they meet the evaluation criteria. b) & c) Resumes are desired for the key personnel. Again information should be sufficient to allow determination of qualifications. Key personnel are defined as Project Managers and Supervisors who may be in charge of the contract and/ or task orders, who has the ability to make decisions for the contractor and who will be the major contact point for the Government. d) Yes, past performance information is desired. Please submit a minimum of three references of similar types and dollar values performed within the past three years. Include a brief description of each contract and the name and telephone number of the principal point of contact. QUESTION 14: In light of the anticipated award value, will DOC view proposals submitted by teams of two firms in a negative light? ANSWER: No. QUESTION 15: How much of the anticipated contract award ($90,000) is expected to be in direct costs mainly travel and conference organizing? ANSWER: The reason for requiring the contractor to have offices in the stated foreign countries is to cut down significantly on travel costs. We anticipate mostly personnel costs. QUESTION 16: The scope of work is generally seeking expertise in the areas of market and business research, developing domestic and international business oriented seminars, and strategic and thought leadership in the environmental sector which may require highly experienced and knowledgeable staff as well as potential travel to the domestic and/or international seminars. Tasks issued in one or more of these areas, especially international conference/seminar development can quickly consume the anticipated award amount of $90,000 in less than a year's time, which is currently the period of performance. Would you pleases confirm whether the anticipated award value of $90,000 is correct? ANSWER: That is correct. QUESTION 17: Would you please indicate the type of contract that will be awarded (firm-fixed price, time and materials, cost plus fixed fee, etc?) ANSWER: Each task order will be firm-fixed price or time and materials depending upon the exact work required and upon final agreement between the Government and contractor prior to issuance of the task order. QUESTION 18: The solicitation requests, that if available, offerors should submit their GSA Supply Schedule catalog. Please confirm that there is no requirement that the proposal must be based on such catalog. Answer: There is no requirement that the proposal must be based on such catalog. Posted 07/30/98 (W-SN230575). (0211)

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