Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

Solicitation Amendment 36C24422Q0016 0001 I. The purpose of this solicitation amendment is to answer vendor questions and extend the response time of solicitation 36C24422Q0016. II. Contractors submit... Solicitation Amendment 36C24422Q0016 0001 I. The purpose of this solicitation amendment is to answer vendor questions and extend the response time of solicitation 36C24422Q0016. II. Contractors submitted 17 questions. The government has included those questions verbatim and provided answers below: Question 1: While the classes can be live, can they be recorded for future use? Answer 1: Per Statement of Work Section B, Classes shall be taught via live, two-way video in group settings. Additionally, students may not be recorded due to privacy concerns. Question 2. Can the classes be put together in a series as an on-demand format for people to go back to review the class again? Answer 2: Per Statement of Work Section B, Classes shall be taught via live, two-way video in group settings. Additionally, students and any student interactions or information may not be recorded due to privacy concerns. Recordings of facilitators may be provided as a library session but pre-recorded sessions do not meet the primary requirement of providing live, interactive classes. Question 3: While veterans can have unlimited classes, what is the maximum number of veterans do you anticipate joining per class? Answer 3: The government estimates a maximum enrollment of approximately 20 VISN04 users per class. However, this is only an estimate and may not align with actual demand. Question 4: How long can the classes be per session? Answer 4: The length of classes provided should reflect accepted industry practices for the modalities offered. IE: 15 minutes for breath work and meditation, or 60 minute or longer classes for yoga. Contractor shall indicate potential timeframes in the actual or potential schedule included in solicitation response. Question 5: Can we use a platform that has already been created (e.g. Zoom, google meet, studiogrowth, etc.) or will the VA have their own platform for us to work off of? Answer 5: The VA will not provide the platform. The contractor may use commonly-used two-way platforms that have already been created such as Zoom. Question 6: Could we rent space at a VA hospital or use a government facility to put on these virtual classes or would we have to provide our own space? Question 6: No, the government will not provide space for performance. Contractor must provide their own space and equipment to meet the performance requirements outlined in the SOW. Question 7: Could you provide more clarification on this part: System configuration shall not require any hardware or software specific to the service, and shall be capable of functioning via wireless connection to the internet (i.e. via Wi-Fi connectivity). Answer 7: Users will not have to acquire specific hardware or software to participate in the classes beyond their own personal devices, and potential download of commonly-used two-way platform applications such as Zoom if the platform is not embedded in the contractor s website. Question 8: If veterans sign up for the class but no one logs in for the class, would we still get paid for performing that class? Answer 8: Yes, the contractor must provide VISN04 users access to classes in accordance with the Statement of Work to be paid. Contractor is not paid per class or per user enrollment. Question 9: This would be 10 different classes in one day with that being 50 classes offered per week or two classes per day to make 10 per week? Answer 9: The contractor shall provide at least 10 classes per day; at least cumulative 50 classes from Monday through Friday (contractor not required to provide services on Federal Holidays). Question 10: The 4 classes for Saturday & Sunday- would this be 2 classes each day for a total of 4 Â or 4 each day to make a total of 8 weekend classes that should be offered? Answer 10: Contractor shall provide at least 4 classes per day, for a total of at least 8 weekend classes (contractor not required to provide services on Federal Holidays). Question 11: Would different classes need to be offered at the same times (for instance yoga for women veterans at 9am, FboNotice chakra trauma healing meditation for men at 9am & tai chi at 9am etc) or would it be by the hour/different time frames throughout the day? Answer 11: Contractor has discretion to schedule classes in order to maximize the diversity of classes and access available to VISN04 users throughout the day and night. The government s intent is to provide options for access that accommodate VISN04 users who work regular and off-shifts. Question 12: Last question how long do the classes need to be in length? Answer 12: The length of classes provided should reflect accepted industry practices for the modalities offered. IE: 15 minutes for breath work and meditation, or 60 minute or longer classes for yoga. Contractor shall indicate potential timeframes in the actual or potential schedule included in solicitation response. Question 13: Whether companies from Outside USA can apply for this? (like, from India or Canada) Answer 13: This opportunity is open to U.S.-based and owned contractors performing in the U.S. Foreign-owned companies will not be considered for award. Question 14: Whether we need to come over there for meetings? Answer 14: This opportunity is open to U.S.-based and owned contractors performing in the U.S. Foreign-owned companies will not be considered for award. Question 15: Can we perform the tasks (related to RFP) outside USA? (like, from India or Canada) Answer 15: This opportunity is open to U.S.-based and owned contractors performing in the U.S. Foreign-owned and/or foreign-operated companies will not be considered for award. Question 16: Can we submit the proposals via email? Answer 16: Yes, as indicated on page 24 of the solicitation, responses must be provided to thomas.cossentino@va.gov by email. Question 17: Could you please tell me if this is a new requirement, or if there is a current or previous contractor who has performed similar services? If available, can you please send along the incumbent contract or task order number? Answer 17: All public information about past and current federal contracts is available at the Federal Procurement Data System: https://www.fpds.gov. The government has answered all timely vendor questions, and the question period has closed. III. The solicitation response time has been changed from 11:00AM EDT on 10/12/2021 to 11:00AM EDT on 10/13/2021. All quotations must be sent by email to thomas.cossentino@va.gov no later than 11:00AM EDT on 10/13/2021. (End of Document)