Solicitation No. AHRQ-06-0003 Amendment 0001

The following amendment is issued for the following reasons:

1\. To respond to questions received by potential offerors.

2\. To include the Interested Parties/Bidders List.

[The date and time set for the receipt of proposals is NOT changed and
remains 12:00 p.m. (Noon) local time on Thursday, September 8,
2005.]{.underline}

**Questions/Responses**

1)  Are these meetings to discuss the information collected as part of
    the Medical Expenditure Panel survey (MEPS) or Health Care Costs,
    Quality, and Outcomes (HCQO) or both?

> **The meetings deal with all aspects of Agency related matters.**

2)  Are the participants recruited by the Agency for Healthcare Research
    and Quality or by the contractor?

> **The participants could be recruited either by the Agency or the
> contractor.**

3)  Are you able to tell us what the approximate expenditure is per
    meeting?

> **No, there are too many variables between assignments.**
>
> a\. Is there a limit as to how far people can travel via ground
> transportation to get to the meeting area. (i.e. all participants must
> live within 100 miles of the designated meeting location).
>
> **There is no limit on travel via ground transportation but all travel
> must be processed in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations.**
>
> b\. Are the participants invoices submitted directly to AHRQ or does
> the contractor submit one invoice for all of the expenses associated
> with the meeting.
>
> **The contractor submits invoices on a monthly basis to AHRQ.**

4)  Are the participants recruited by AHRQ or by the contractor?

> **Please see Question No. 2.**

5)  What format do you want the meeting reports in hard copy, electronic
    media or both?

> **The meeting reports should be in hard copy.**

6)  Is there an incumbent for this project? If so, what is the name and
    contact number of the incumbent? 

> **Yes. Cygnus Corporation, Contract No. 290-01-0001**

7)  In what cities do the workshops and/or training generally occur? Is
    it usually monthly, quarterly, or yearly?

> **Meetings are normally held in the Washington, DC metropolitan area
> although occasionally there will be a meeting that is planned
> out-of-state. The number of workshops and/or training monthly,
> quarterly, or yearly can not be determined.**

8)  Is this a new acquisition or re-compete, and are you at liberty to
    release the name of the incumbent?

> **See Question No. 6**

9)  How many meetings will require transcripts? How many will require
    summary reports and how many will need a verbatim transcript?

> **Due to the large number of assignments with many varying requests,
> this can not be determined.**

10) Could the deadline for the transcripts be extended to seven days?

> **This would depend on the requirements of the work assignment
> originator.**

11) How many meetings will need A/V support and what would be the normal
    A/V requirements for these meetings?

> **Most meetings will require some type of A/V support. The type of
> support will vary depending on the size of the meeting and the various
> requirements of a particular meeting. Meetings held at the AHRQ
> Conference Center should not require outside A/V support.**

12) Can we define the "consultants" ODC category to include (a) science
    researchers and writers, (2) transcriptionists, and (3) expert
    meeting facilitators? Or, should we consider transcription services
    as a separate ODC?

> **It depends on how it is classified. If the agreement is with an
> individual, they would be considered a consultant. If it was with an
> organization, it would be considered a subcontract.**

13) Will the expert meeting facilitators be required solely to manage
    the flow of the meetings or will they be persons who are also
    familiar with the content and subject matter of the meetings?

> **The facilitator will normally need to be familiar with the content
> and subject matter of the meetings.**

14) Will most meetings be local (DC Metro Area)? If not, what number of
    meetings will be non-local? Also, what considerations will go into
    the meeting site selection process? Geographical spread? Proximity
    to academic medical centers?

> **Yes, in fact a majority of the meetings are held at the AHRQ
> Conference Center. There may be approximately 2-3 meetings per year
> that will not be local. The meeting site determination could be the
> cost effectiveness due to a large number of participants actually
> living in that particular location but is not limited to this.**

15) In regard to the ODC assumption of 400 trips per year with each trip
    costing \$850: does this mean that the government anticipates that
    each of the 400 tickets could cost up to \$850?

> **Yes, this is an estimated cost.**

16) Is staff travel included in the estimated 400 trips per year or is
    this travel for only selected participants and consultants?

**Only participant travel was taken into consideration.**

> 17\) Page 7 of the SOW stipulates that the contractor will be required
> to provide services (e.g. focus groups) to support the production of
> up to 40 health services research and health policy documents/reports
> per year. What is the anticipated number of focus groups that the
> contractor will be required to conduct?
>
> **The Agency conducted one focus group in the past five years.**

18) Does AHRQ have any preferences for the location (i.e. professional
    facility, local DC Metro site vs. other states) of the focus group
    sessions? If we are conducting non-local groups, how many non-local
    groups will we conduct? Will the contractor be allowed to offer
    incentives in the recruitment of focus group participants and does
    AHRQ have a limitation on the amount for recruitment incentives?

> **See Questions No. 14. The focus group was held locally. Incentives
> could be offered in the recruitment of focus group participants.**

19) What is the estimated length of the approximately 10 other meetings
    that will be co-sponsored by AHRQ and that are referenced on page 8
    (Section C\--Specific requirements) of the SOW?  Will we be
    collaborating with other contractors that will be involved in the
    planning and implementation of these meetings?

> **The length of most of the meetings is 1 -- 2 days. Yes, you may be
> asked to collaborate with other contractors with the planning and
> implementation of meetings.**

20) Can the Past Performance Information required in section L.9 be
    e-mailed to the Contracting Officer?

> **No.**

21) Can we have a copy of meeting reports in the format currently used
    by AHRQ?

> **You will not be required to use a particular format for meeting
> reports.**

22) Can you provide examples of cities where the meetings could take
    place?

> **Boston, San Diego, Seattle**

23) For the large meetings, should we plan for one general session room,
    or some breakout rooms? If so, how many breakout rooms per day
    should we budget for?

> **Most likely you would plan on some breakout rooms. The number of
> breakout rooms would depend on the size of the meeting and the
> requirements of the work assignment originator.**

24) Will the government require us to collect a registration fee for any
    of the meetings? If so, please provide the number of meetings for
    which a registration fee will be required.

> **You will not be required to collect a registration fee.**

25) Will you require continental breakfast, morning and afternoon breaks
    for all the meetings or only some of the meetings? Can the
    government provide some clarification?

> **Some meetings will require breakfast, morning and afternoon breaks,
> and lunch. The participants that you travel to a meeting will have
> their meal allowance reduced for the meals(s) provided and any local
> participants will pay out-of-pocket for any meal.**

26) What Audio-Visual equipment will be needed for these meetings? Can
    the government provide more detail to help with our budgeting?

> **See Question No. 11.**

27) How many of the meetings will require mailing pre-conference
    materials?

> **This can not be determined.**

28) Will transcription or meeting summary writer services be needed at
    all of the conferences? How many pages for each report?

> **No, transcription or meeting summary writer services will not be
> utilized at all conferences. The pages for each report will vary
> depending on the requirements of the assignment.**

29) On page 8 of the RFP, the government mentions a need for \"10 other
    meetings per year that AHRQ will co-sponsor.\" Can the government
    provide more detail about these meetings, such as the number of
    attendees, the number of days, etc.

> **See Question No. 19. The number of attendees could vary for each
> meeting.**

30) The RFP requires a lot of meeting logistics, however, the staff
    required for this effort must have experience in conducting
    analytical/program research, evaluation, and strategic planning
    types of activities. Can the government explain why there is a need
    for this type of personnel?

> **In most cases the Agency provides people with this type of
> experience, but if need be, would like the incumbent to have staff
> with the required expertise.**

31) On page 37 of the RFP, (f) (1) indicates that the government intends
    to award a \"contract or contracts..\" while on page 39 the
    government anticipates the award of 1 contract. Can the government
    provide clarification on the number of anticipated awards?

> **The Government intends to award one contract in response to this
> solicitation.**

32) On page 46 of the RFP, Section L.10, A.3, requires that the offeror
    provides documentation of negotiated rates agreement with a federal
    agency. We are a small business and have provisional rates. Would
    this preclude us from bidding on this project?

> **No, you may submit your proposal using provisional rates with the
> understanding that, if awarded a contract, there will be a clause
> included that requires the Contractor to submit a proposal to the NIH
> to obtain negotiated rates within 90 days of award.**

33) Section C.a. Please provide more information on the contractor's
    role in identifying experts. Does the task require substantive
    knowledge of the meeting topic in order to identify experts that are
    not known to the AHRQ program staff? Or is it more of an
    administrative/logistical task, e.g., contacting experts at the
    Government's request to determine availability for the meeting,
    suitability for their envisioned roles, etc.?

> **This requirement could involve the contractor in both roles listed
> above.**

34) For approximately how many meetings per year will the contractor
    need to identify experts?

> **This would depend on the requirements of the work assignment
> originator and can not be determined.**

35) Section C.b. For costing purposes, approximately how many meetings
    will require expert facilitators?

> **This would depend on the requirements of the work assignment
> originator and can not be determined.**

36) Section C.b. With 50 meetings of various sizes, the meeting
    materials are likely to change for each meeting. For budgeting
    purposes, how many pages of materials per attendees, on average,
    should be assumed? What percentage of the materials will be in
    color?

> **This would depend on the requirements of the work assignment
> originator and can not be determined.**

37) Approximately how many meetings will require binders for meeting
    materials?

> **This would depend on the requirements of the work assignment
> originator and can not be determined.**

38) Section C.c. The RFP states that the contractor will provide all
    [necessary]{.underline} pre-meeting, meeting, and post-meeting
    administration and logistical support. For bidding purposes, should
    contractors assume that the full range of logistical support will be
    required, or will some meetings require only selected logistical and
    administrative services? If the latter is the case, please provide
    examples of selected logistical support and estimate how many of the
    50 meetings will require only selected services.

> **Most meetings will require the full range of support. There is a
> very small percentage that will only require selected services.**

39) Section C.g. The RFP states that transcripts shall be provided in
    two to four working days after the meeting. Is the product to be
    produced in this time frame a verbatim transcript of all sessions at
    the meeting? If not, please clarify what this deliverable will be.

> **This would depend on the requirements of the work assignment
> originator.**
>
> For bidding purposes, how many of the 50 meetings will require a
> verbatim transcript?
>
> **This would depend on the requirements of the work assignment
> originator.**
>
> For bidding purposes, how many of the 50 meetings will require a
> meeting report?
>
> **This would depend on the requirements of the work assignment
> originator.**
>
> How many copies of each transcript will be required?
>
> **This would depend on the requirements of the work assignment
> originator.**

How many copies of each meeting report will be required?

**This would depend on the requirements of the work assignment
originator.**

> Will the contractor prepare any of the reports or transcripts for
> posting on the AHRQ web site? If so, for approximately how many
> meetings each year?

**This would depend on the requirements of the work assignment
originator.**

40) Section C.h. For budgeting purposes, approximately how many meetings
    will be held in Government facilities?

> **A large percentage of the meetings are held at the AHRQ Conference
> Center.**
>
> The SOW indicates that the meetings are to be held nationwide. For
> budgeting purposes, please indicate:

How many of the meetings will be held outside the Washington, DC area?

-   20 1-2 day meetings for 10-15 people

-   20 2-3 day meetings for 20-40 people

-   10 3-day meetings for 50-200 people

> **See Question No. 14. The number of people can vary depending on the
> work assignment.**

How many of the meetings will require on-site support from the
contractor?

-   20 1-2 day meetings for 10-15 people

-   20 2-3 day meetings for 20-40 people

-   10 3-day meetings for 50-200 people

> **Most meetings will require on-site support from the contractor.**

How many break out session rooms will be needed for each of the
meetings?

-   20 1-2 day meetings for 10-15 people

-   20 2-3 day meetings for 20-40 people

-   10 3-day meetings for 50-200 people

> **See Question No. 23.**

41) Please provide additional information about the focus groups for
    budgeting purposes. (bottom of page 7)

-   How many focus groups will be held each year?

-   What is the average size of each group?

-   Will they be held in the Washington DC area?

-   Will any of the participants' travel be sponsored for the focus
    groups?

-   What is the standard honorarium authorized for focus group
    participants?

> **To my knowledge the Agency has conducted one focus group assignment
> in the past five years and it was held locally. The standard
> honorarium is \$150 per day.**

42) Page 8: Concerning 10 meetings co-sponsored by AHRQ each year: For
    budgeting purposes, please provide estimates of the expenses for
    each of the following categories for each year.

-   Meeting facility costs

-   Materials preparation

-   Honoraria payments

> Please estimate the number of reports and their page counts to be
> prepared from these co-sponsored meetings. For each, shall we assume
> that a writer would attend the meeting?
>
> **The incumbent should provide their best estimate for the items
> above.**
>
> Where will these 10 meetings take place? How many should offerors
> estimate will take place in Government facilities?
>
> **This can not be determined.**

43) Section L.10, page 48: Do the amounts provided in the RFP cover
    travel and per diem for all travelers who will be paid under the
    contract (e.g., speakers and authorized attendees, experts,
    facilitators, contractor staff who travel to out-of-town meetings,
    etc.)?

> **Yes, the Federal Travel Regulations must be considered for anyone
> who travels under the contract.**
>
> Does the amount provided for consultants (2000 days of consultant fees
> at \$500 per day) cover all consultants, e.g., experts who participate
> in meetings, experts who write special papers, experts who review
> special papers, consultants who may be engaged to prepare meeting
> reports, and facilitators and focus group leaders?
>
> **Yes.**
>
> Are honoraria to be paid under this contract? If so, is honoraria
> covered in the estimated 2000 days of consultant fees at \$500 per
> day? If not, how many days should offerors estimate for budgeting
> purposes, and at what daily amount?
>
> **No, honoraria is not covered under the estimate for consultant fees.
> An honorarium is normally \$150 per day. The number of days can not be
> determined.**

44) Contractor Performance Reports: May contractors submit copies of
    recent Contractor Performance Reports from the NIH Contractor
    Performance System, as well as evaluations recently completed by our
    clients for other proposals to do work relevant to the scope of work
    of the AHRQ RFP? These evaluations use the same criteria as the Past
    Performance Questionnaire provided in the RFP. The reason for this
    request is to minimize the burden on our Government clients, who
    receive many such requests.

> **Yes.**

45) Pg. 6 gives information on 50 meetings/year to be scheduled by the
    contractor. Is it the contractor's responsibility to attend and
    staff these meetings?

> **This would depend on the needs of the work assignment originator.
> Most assignments do require at least one member of the contractor's
> staff to be available at the meeting.**

46) Pg. 7, paragraph "g" requires the contractor to prepare meeting
    transcripts. Is it the contractor's responsibility to record
    discussions at the meetings to be used in preparation of the
    transcripts?

> **If the meeting is held at AHRQ's facilities, AHRQ has staff members
> available to record the discussions; otherwise there may be a need for
> the contractor to have the meeting discussions recorded.**

47) Pg 7 states, "For various AHRQ management and research activities,
    provide for the preparation of specified substantive health services
    research and health policy materials and documents." Will the
    contractor be responsible for researching and writing the articles
    or for editing and finalizing the documents for printing?

> **Both.**

48) Pg 7 refers to the contractor providing other services such as
    conducting focus group activities. Can you give an approximate
    number of focus groups that could be conducted each year? Will the
    contractor attend and facilitate the focus groups?

> **See Question No. 41. Whether the contractor attends and facilitates
> would depend on the requirements of the work assignment originator.**

49) Pg 8 mentions 10 other meetings that AHRQ will co-sponsor. Can you
    estimate the number of potential attendees for these meetings?

> **This can not be determined.**

50) Is there an incumbent contractor for this requirement? If so, please
    identify the firm.

> **See Question 6.**

51) Please clarify whether or not the government wants, in addition to
    the separate Past Performance volume, a Past Performance discussion
    in the Technical Proposal. We ask this because the Technical
    Proposal Instructions in Section L.8 list five areas for the
    "technical discussion" (assumed to mean the technical proposal), and
    the fifth area is Past Performance. But Section L.9, Past
    Performance Information, seem to be asking for a separate Past
    Performance volume that would contain this information.

> **Past Performance should be separate from the technical proposal.**

52) Does the government want copies of the cover letters that the
    offeror sends out to clients to whom the offeror sends Attachment 1,
    the Past Performance Questionnaire and Contractor Performance Form?
    If yes, should these be placed in the past performance volume or in
    an appendix to the technical proposal?

> **No.**

53) Regarding the labor categories (classes of personnel) described on
    page 8 of the RFP, do offerors need to classify the personnel
    discussed in their technical proposals by these categories?

> **Yes.**

54) Section D. Reporting Requirements (page 9) states that the
    contractor will have 10 working days from the receipt of a work
    assignment to submit a budget for each work assignment. Will the
    contractor also have to provide some sort of written task order
    response that describes the firm's approach to fulfilling the work
    assignment?

> **No.**

55) Should Attachment 2, the Disclosure of Lobbying Form, be submitted
    with one of the proposal volumes, or do offerors submit this after
    award? If submitted with the proposal, with which volume?

> **Attachment 2 should be submitted with the business proposal.**

56) To what room number should the proposal be delivered?

> **Jessica Alderton**
>
> **AHRQ/OPART/CM**
>
> **Room 4133**
>
> **540 Gaither Road**
>
> **Rockville, MD 20850**

57) Is the contractor to identify the "expert facilitators" that
    Section B. Objectives indicate will be needed, or will AHRQ identify
    these individuals?

> **Yes, the contractor may be asked to identify an expert
> facilitator.**

58) For budget purposes, please state how many of the 50 meetings to be
    supported annually under the contract (not counting the 10 meetings
    co-sponsored by AHRQ) are local meetings?

> **See Question No. 14.**

59) For budget purposes, should offerors assume that any of these 50
    meetings will be held at government facilities?

> **See Question No. 14.**

60) For budget purposes, for how many of the 50 meetings (not counting
    the 10 meetings co-sponsored by AHRQ) should offerors assume they
    will need to identify and provide a meeting facilitator (Item b on
    page 7)?

> **This can not be determined.**

61) If consultants are used as meeting facilitators or focus group
    moderators, what is the maximum daily rate?

> **There is a \$500 ceiling unless the Contracting Officer approves a
> higher amount.**

62) For budget purposes, for how many of the 50 meetings (not counting
    the 10 meetings co-sponsored by AHRQ) should offerors assume they
    will need to provide an onsite meeting note taker, who will then
    prepare a meeting report or summary (Item g on page 7)?

> **This can not be determined.**

63) When the contractor is to provide meeting reports or summaries, how
    long after the meeting is the draft summary due? How long after the
    receipt of Project Officer comments on the draft summary is the
    final summary due? (Neither the draft nor the final meeting report
    is mentioned in the Delivery Schedule in Section F.3.)

> **This would depend on the requirements of the work assignment
> originator.**

64) If consultants are used as onsite note takers, what is the maximum
    daily rate to paid?

> **See Question No. 61.**

65) The third paragraph on Section C, Specific Requirements (begins at
    the bottom of page 6) says "Attendee names shall be provided to the
    contractor as soon as they have been identified by the Project
    Officer." But Item a (top of page 7) states that the contractor
    shall identify key experts and stakeholders for meetings. Please
    clarify whether the contractor is to identify the meeting attendees,
    including key experts and stakeholders.

> **The contractor may be asked to identify key experts and
> stakeholders.**

66) Re Item d. on page 7, for budget purposes, for how many people per
    meeting, for each of the three sizes of meetings described on page
    6, should the offeror assume the firm is to pay lodging and per
    diem?

> **As assignments vary greatly, this can not be determined.**

67) For budget purposes, please provide the budget assumptions to be
    used for Item e on page 7, "pay all necessary consultant fees as
    appropriate." Our questions include:

> Are these consultants the meeting facilitators, or consultants used
> for some other purpose?
>
> **Both.**
>
> How many consultants should we assume will need to be paid, per each
> type of meeting?

**See L10, A., g, top of page 48.**

> For how many days would each consultant be paid, per each type of
> meeting?
>
> **This would vary depending on the requirements of specific work
> assignments.**
>
> What is the maximum daily rate offerors should use in their budgets?
>
> **The maximum daily rate is \$500 per day.**

68) Re Item f on page 7, is the offeror to budget for paying travel and
    per diem costs for all meeting attendees? If not, for how many, per
    each type of meeting?

> **See L10, A, g, top of page 48.**

69) For budget purposes, for how many of the meetings should offerors
    assume that the contractor will need to make arrangements for
    recording and transcription (Item g)?

> **This can not be determined.**

70) Item g on page 7 indicates that meeting transcripts will be needed
    within 2 to 4 working days. In our experience, requesting the
    transcripts in less than 5 working days means that we will be
    charged a rush rate for the transcripts. Given this, does the
    government still want offerors to assume that transcripts will need
    to be provided within 2 to 4 working days, as stated in the RFP, or
    may we assume a minimum 5-day turnaround time?

> **The offeror may assume a 5-day turnaround time.**

71) Will the contractor be required to prepare any substantive materials
    for distribution before the planned meetings or onsite? If so, what
    type?

> **Both. The type can not be determined.**

72) Regarding the management and research activities described at the
    bottom of page 7 and the top of page 8, how many focus groups should
    the offeror assume will be convened per year, for budget purposes?

> **See Question No. 41.**

73) Should we assume that the focus groups are local (i.e., convened in
    the Washington, DC, area)?

> **Yes.**

74) Will the contractor recruit the focus group attendees?

> **This would depend on the requirements of the work assignment
> originator.**

75) Will the contractor prepare the focus group moderator guides for
    each focus group?

> **This would depend on the requirements of the work assignment
> originator.**

76) How long should we assume each focus group will be, for budget
    purposes?

> **This would depend on the requirements of the work assignment
> originator.**

77) Please provide the necessary budget assumptions needed to prepare a
    budget for the 10 additional meetings co-sponsored by AHRQ that the
    statement of work (first full paragraph, top of page 8) says that
    the contractor is to support. (We realize that the Government cannot
    know this information for sure, but we need input on the assumptions
    we should make.)

> **The offeror should provide their best estimate.**

78) The questions to be answered about the additional 10 meetings
    described at the top of page 8 include:

How long will each meeting be?

**See Question No. 19.**

> For how many attendees will the contractor pay travel and per diem
> costs?
>
> **See L10, A., g., page 48 for the cost estimates to be used when
> preparing**
>
> **cost proposals.**
>
> Should we assume that the offeror provides either a facilitator or a
> note taker for any of these meetings? If so, how many?
>
> **This can not be determined.**
>
> Should we assume these meetings are local or non-local?

**This can not be determined.**

> For how many of these meetings should we assume the contractor
> provides audiovisual equipment?
>
> **This can not be determined.**
>
> Should we assume that any of the meetings will be held at government
> facilities (AHRQ offices or those of another cosponsor)?
>
> **This can not be determined.**

79) The Government does not appear to be requesting a technical approach
    section. (One is not mentioned in the technical proposal
    instructions or in the evaluation criteria in Section M.3.) Please
    clarify.

> **The Government will evaluate the proposals based on the evaluation
> criteria listed in the RFP.**

80) Re the description of Section A. Key Personnel, on the bottom of
    page 43, please clarify the distinction that the government is
    making between a Project Director and a Project Manager.

> **The Project Director will manage the overall contract while the
> Project Manager will manage individual work assignments. However, each
> offeror should propose personnel based upon their own approach for
> accomplishing the required effort.**

81) As mentioned above, the government has not assigned any evaluation
    criteria points to a technical approach. (One is not mentioned here
    or in the technical proposal instructions in Section L.8.) Please
    clarify.

> **See Question 79.**

82) Can you provide a sense of the proportion of the contract which will
    involve the logistics aspects of preparing for and conducting the
    meetings as opposed to research aspects, i.e. the reports prior to
    the meetings, and the substantive reports on the health services
    research projects throughout the process that are mentioned in the
    RFP? Do you anticipate the research aspects to be a major component
    of this RFP, or does AHRQ see this as primarily a logistics contract
    with some supporting research elements?

> **The contracts primary intent is for logistics support with some
> supporting research elements.**

83) In the RFP, it mentions the possibility of some qualitative
    research, such as focus groups that may be needed to be performed
    prior to,, or possibly subsequent to, some of the meetings. Can you
    give some guidance as to how you see focus groups and/or
    semi-structured interviews or other qualitative aspects will play a
    role in this project? Do you foresee any quantitative aspects to
    this project, such as surveys or other such analysis? How does AHRQ
    foresee the development of these reports relative to the overall
    scope of this project?

> **Since this is only a possibility, no definite answers can be given
> at this time. The primary role will be to provide logistical support
> with the potential of securing additional experts to support
> individual efforts. It is not anticipated that surveys will be
> conducted under this contract.**

84) Can you provide more guidance as to the types, scope, and substance
    of health research and health policy reports that you address in the
    RFP? Can you provide some detail as to what you anticipate you will
    require as preparation and analysis prior to the meetings, and as to
    those 40 or so reports alluded to that will be required throughout
    each year?

> **This requirement will vary by work assignment.**

85) Can you provide some guidance as to how you see the recruitment of
    meeting experts and the development of the agendas for these
    meetings? How do you foresee the interaction between the agency and
    the contractor in this regard?

> **The offeror should propose their approach to handle these types of
> requirements.**

86) Besides paying for all meals and lodging of attendees in accordance
    with Federal Travel Regulations, will all participants receive
    honorarium? If so, how much is the allowed amount? The RFP mentioned
    paying all necessary consultant fees as appropriate---can you
    specify if this is only for facilitators, key experts, and/or
    stakeholders.

> **No, all participants will not receive an honorarium. The normal
> amount allowed is \$150 per day. The consultant fee is for
> facilitators, key experts, and/or stakeholders but is not limited to
> these types of consultants.**

87) AHRQ specifies they need to plan, schedule, and arrange for and
    report on approximately 50 meetings per year (on page 6). Then it is
    requested to provide specified support for approximately 10 other
    meetings per year that AHRQ will co-sponsor (page 8). Are those 10
    meeting included on the 50 originally requested?

> **No.**

88) With respect to Food & Beverage -- continental breakfast - AM/PM
    breaks are allowed per Federal Regulations. Does AHRQ anticipate any
    working lunches?

> **See Question No. 25.**

89) Does AHRQ anticipate mailing materials/notebooks to each participant
    prior/after the meeting?

> **Both.**

90) From page 7 of the SOW, last paragraph: *For various AHRQ management
    and research activities, provide for the preparation of specified
    substantive health services research and health policy materials and
    documents.* Will AHRQ provide source materials for these reports, or
    will the contractor be expected to conduct original research
    regarding the content area?

> **The contractor could be asked to conduct original research regarding
> the content area.**

91) *The contractor shall also provide other services to support these
    activities such as conducting small focus group activities...* Can
    you please provide an estimate of how many small focus group
    activities are anticipated per year? Will focus groups be held
    primarily in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, or potentially
    anywhere in the US?

> **See Question No. 41.**

92) From page 8 of the SOW, first complete paragraph: *For substantive
    health services research and health policy reports, papers, and
    other documents ensure that: a. The documents are reviewed in
    accordance with specified time frames and review expertise is
    relevant to the subject matter area;* Will the contractor be
    responsible for identifying subject area experts, or will AHRQ
    identify expert reviewers?   

> **It is possible that the contractor will be asked to identify subject
> area experts.**

**AHRQ-06-0003**

**Interested Parties/Bidders List**

Kristin A. Moore, Ph.D.

President and Senior Scholar

Child Trends

4301 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Suite 350

Washington, DC 20008

Richard Offner

Senior Vice President

DB Consulting Group, Inc.

1100 Wayne Avenue

Suite 801

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Brian A. O'N. Derby

President

The Helix Group, Inc.

5801 Allentown Road

Suite 206

Camp Springs, MD 20746

Cyd Lacanienta, MSW

Chair and CEO

InterGroup Services, Inc.

116 East 25^th^ Street

Baltimore, MD 21218

Jo Ann Kauffman

President

Kauffman & Associates, Inc.

425 W. First Avenue

Spokane, WA 99201

James L. Wright

Vice President

LRG, Inc.

1199 N. Fairfax Street

Suite 400

Fairfax, VA 22314

Morris R. Davis

President

M. Davis and Company, Inc.

1520 Locust Street

3^rd^ Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19102

Marilyn H. West

Chairman & CEO

M.H. West & Co. Inc.

700 East Main Street

Suite 904

Richmond, VA 23218-0548

Tracye Turner

Vice President

Optimal Solutions Group, LLC

3225 Ellerslie Avenue

#E303

Baltimore, MD 21218

Marion Millhouse Barker

Co-President

Palladian Partners, Inc.

Patricia Francoise

Vice President of Events Management

Professional and Scientific Associates, Inc.

2100 Reston Parkway

Suite 300

Reston, VA 20191

Elham-Eid Alldredge

President

REDA International, Inc.

Craig Vincent

President/CEO

TeleSolv Consulting

Barry Patel, Pharm. D.

President and Co-Founder

Total Therapeutic Management, Inc.