**Part I. Innovations Clearinghouse Technical Questions (#1-29)**

1\. Please provide a list or contact point for the vendors who are
currently supporting related processes and technologies. (i.e. NGC,
Quality Tools, NQMC, AHRQ Web M&M, AHRQ Website, etc).

**AHRQ Response:**

[NGC, NQMC, QualityTools]{.underline}

ECRI

5200 Butler Pike

Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462

Vivian H. Coates

[AHRQ WebM&M, a component of AHRQ Patient-Safety Network (PS
Net)]{.underline}

University of California San Francisco

3333 California Street -- Suite 315

San Francisco, CA 94118

Dr. Robert Wachter

2\. Under 3.7.6 in the SOW, it states that email responses to all
inquiries are expected within 24 hours during business days, and 48
hours on weekends. Should bidders assume: a) that these requirements are
general operating rules and AHRQ will be flexible with respect to
waiving these requirements for exceptional circumstances (such as long
holiday weekends), or b) that the contractor must always meet these
requirements, including providing routine weekend staffing (to respond
to inquiries submitted on Friday evenings by Sunday evenings, for
example) and holiday staffing, or c) other specifications to be
provided?

**AHRQ Response:** These are general operating rules and AHRQ will
negotiate the specifics upon contract award. While AHRQ does not expect
the contractor to provide routine weekend or holiday staffing for the
purpose of responding to e-mail inquiries, AHRQ does have a requirement
that the Web site be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (see task
3.5.29). It may be through weekend or holiday users' e-mails that Web
site availability issues are brought to the attention of the Contractor.

3*.* Under 3.7.1 in the SOW, it states the contractor is not expected to
routinely provide telephone technical assistance. Can AHRQ clarify its
expectations regarding the amount of time the contractor would provide
telephone technical assistance?

**AHRQ Response:** AHRQ does not expect the contractor to provide
telephone technical assistance. AHRQ does expect the contractor to
provide online technical assistance as specified in 3.7.2 through 3.7.8.
Therefore the amount of time providing telephone technical assistance
would be negligible. The contractor may find it advantageous in certain
technical scenarios to communicate with a user by telephone (provided,
of course, that the user has supplied a phone number). These scenarios
would be the exception not the rule.

4\. Page 94, sections 3.5.25, 3.5.26, 3.5.27 requires the contractor
provide all hardware, physical locations for housing the websites, and
access to Internet for the websites. Will the contractor be allowed to
bill the government for all costs associated with these requirements,
i.e. facilities rent, Internet activation costs, hardware, etc?

**AHRQ Response:** The Contractor's technical and business proposal must
provide estimated costs and justification for the types of costs
mentioned. These will all be subject to negotiation in accordance with
Federal Acquisition Regulations, Part 31 -- Contract Cost Principles and
Procedures. See also 3.5.31.

5\. Section L.9.A (2) Response to Statement of Work (SOW) -- is the
draft Vision/Project Initiation Document (PID) included in the 150 page
count?

**AHRQ Response:** Yes.

6\. Section L.9.A(4) Response to Statement of Work (SOW) -- is the
project Work Plan (PWP) referenced in this section the same as the
Vision/Project Initiation Document (PID) referenced in Section L.9.A(2)?

**AHRQ Response:** No. The Vision/Project Initiation Document provides
an overview and understanding of the project (the 'big picture'). The
PWP provides the details on how the project will be executed. See tasks
3.5.7, 3.5.8, and 3.5.9 in the Statement of Work.

7\. Section L.9.A (4) Response to Statement of Work (SOW) -- this
section states"...and the deliverables-based, resource loaded Work
Breakdown Structure (WBS)." Is the WBS to be included in this section or
with the PIP? Is it considered to be part of the 150 page count?

**AHRQ Response:** AHRQ does not require that a deliverables-based,
resource loaded Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) be submitted with the
technical proposal. The WBS is a deliverable of the contract. See tasks
3.5.8 and 3.5.9 in the Statement of Work.

8\. Section L.9.B (4) Staffing and Management Plan -- this section
states "Letters of commitment for detailed subcontracting arrangements,
consulting arrangements, and for consultants and members shall be
included with the proposal." Are these letters considered part of the
150 pages of the technical volume?

**AHRQ Response:** Yes.

9\. Section L.9.B (5) Staffing and Management Plan -- the RFP states
that the offeror will "Provide a PERT chart..." Would a GANTT chart be
an acceptable alternative?

**AHRQ Response:** Yes.

10\. The AHRQ Technical Standards Profile (Appendix A of Appendix E)
contains a Disposition column. 3.5.11 clearly states "Specifications
identified as "standard" in the Disposition column shall be selected,
unless the Contractor requests and receives a waiver from the
Government." Not all technologies listed in this document can be used.
Are there any required technologies?

**AHRQ Response:** The technologies designated as Standard are preferred
by the Agency and by extension are the required technologies. Waivers
from preferred technologies will be considered by the Agency for
technologies designated as Niche, defined as those used to accommodate
COTS products used at AHRQ.

11\. Requirement 3.5.41 appears to be a requirement about monthly
utilization reporting. Watchfire WebXM is referenced in this
requirement. We assume this means that, in addition to "utilization;
frequently visited pages; and other performance metrics", the monthly
reporting must include compliance reporting. ("This includes the quality
and integrity of site content and links, accessibility and Section 508
requirements privacy issues and protections, and security.")?

**AHRQ Response:** Watchfire WebXM was recently deployed and its full
capabilities per project are still being assessed. As noted, Watchfire
WebXM provides data on site compliance. AHRQ will negotiate with the
Contractor upon award the extent to which the HHS-deployed Watchfire
WebXM output is best used to assist in compliance-checking and possibly
complement utilization reporting. As of this time, AHRQ is not requiring
compliance reporting.

12\. In part, Requirement 3.5.48 reads: "The Contractor shall conduct
(or cause the completion of) a Federal Information Security Management
Act (FISMA)-conforming C&A process of the System prior to the System
being placed into production." Is this for all 3 release cycles (Phase 1
at 9 months EDOC, Phase 2 at 18 months EDOC, and Phase 3 at 26 months
EDOC), or just at the completion of the Phase 3?

**AHRQ Response**: The C&A process needs to begin immediately upon award
and integrated into the SDLC. It is AHRQ\'s position that before the
release of phase 2 a full C&A with an authorization to operate (ATO)
needs to be complete and issued. The exact C&A schedule needs to be
reviewed in the context of the SDLC timeline for this project by the
AHRQ Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and colleagues and the
contractor who wins this award.

13\. With respect to technical approaches to the Web portal, would
open-source platforms such as Oracle or Java be considered as acceptable
alternatives to Plumtree?

**AHRQ Response:** Yes, alternatives such as Oracle and Java are
acceptable.

14\. Given that BEA has purchased Plumtree and it is rolled into a
different product line (AquaLogic), is AquaLogic considered "Standard"?

**AHRQ Response:** AquaLogic is now the "Standard".

15\. The existing site for Quality Tools appears to be developed in
.net. Will the contractor be responsible to bring this system over into
a Plumtree or does AHRQ envisage some other configuration?

**AHRQ Response:** Any technology listed in the Technical Standards
Profile as "Standard" or "Niche" is acceptable (note that use of "Niche"
technologies requires AHRQ approval of a contractor-supplied request for
waiver).

16\. The AHRQ Technical Standards Profile displays Active Server Pages
(ASP) as "STANDARD". ASP.NET is listed as "NICHE". Given that ASP has
since been replaced by ASP.NET as Microsoft's recommended Web
application platform, is it anticipated the disposition of ASP.NET will
change from "NICHE" to "STANDARD"?

**AHRQ Response:** Yes, ASP.NET is acceptable.

17\. Can the Quality Tools brand be entirely subsumed by the Innovations
Clearinghouse (as renamed)?

**AHRQ Response:** Yes, that is the expectation. In addition, AHRQ
branding information will be provided to the contractor upon award.

18\. Page 86 of the RFP, section 3.3.9, states that the contractor shall
assess submissions against inclusion criteria." Will the contractor
independently be responsible for assessing these submissions, or will
the assessment by reviewers other than contractor employees be required?

**AHRQ Response:** The contractor is responsible. See also 3.2.6.

19\. Page 100, section 3.6.11 states that the contractor shall determine
if tools identified meet the Quality Tools inclusion criteria. Will the
criteria be predetermined upon the award of this contract, or will the
contractor be required to determine criteria for inclusion into the
Quality Tools Web Site?

**AHRQ Response:** Inclusion criteria for QualityTools already exist and
are posted at the QualityTools Web site:
<http://www.qualitytools.ahrq.gov/about/inclusion.aspx>

20\. The RFP states that "A final component is to incorporate, modify,
expand, and relate to AHRQ's Quality Tools Web Site
([www.qualitytools.ahrq.gov](http://www.qualitytools.ahrq.gov/)),
because tools are used to help provide innovation in health service
delivery." Will the contractor performing under this solicitation be
given all information and documents relating to technical requirements
and specifications pertaining to the Quality Tools Web Site?

**AHRQ Response:** Yes. In the interim and to facilitate creation of
meaningful proposals, AHRQ will be uploading the draft QualityTools
requirements and design documents to the AHRQ Web site
(<http://www.ahrq.gov/fund/contarchive/rfp060002.htm>) by June 30, 2006.

21\. Can you provide more specific information on the current and
expected level of effort for maintaining the Quality Tools site?

**AHRQ Response:** The current contractor expends an estimated average
of 450 hours\* per month. However, the level of effort expended could be
more or less dependent upon the offeror's vision and plan for executing
this component of the project. AHRQ encourages and is open to unique
approaches.

\*It is difficult to provide an exact number because of the current
contractor's shared infrastructure and resources for other AHRQ
projects.

22\. What studies or feedback has been gathered about who is using the
quality tools site? Is there market intelligence?

**AHRQ Response:** There is no market intelligence and no studies have
been conducted for a long enough period of time to provide useful data
on who is using the site.

23\. Is the delivery of behavioral health services within the scope for
the innovations? SAMSHA is mentioned on page 74, but there are no
subsequent discussions of behavioral health services as an example of an
innovation or as a capability of the team.

**AHRQ Response:** The only restriction AHRQ is imposing on the scope is
that the innovations are service innovations, not product innovations.

24\. Do you want/Is it expected that the contractor will build in
feedback loops of some kind exploring what you perceive the roles and
responsibilities of the editorial board and the expert panel to be vis a
vis the contractor?

**AHRQ Response:** AHRQ doesn't understand this question. The role of
the editorial board is stated in task 3.1.4. The role of the expert
panel is stated in 3.1.1. The criteria for selection of expert panel
members and the editorial board are stated in 3.1. AHRQ's WebM&M uses an
editorial (content) team, an editorial board and an advisory panel; it
might serve as a model for this project. AHRQ is open to unique and
creative approaches in defining the relationships among the editorial
board, expert panel, and contractor.

25\. Page 82 of the RFP, section 3.1.7 states that "non-federal expert
members will be reimbursed at the rate of \$200.00 for their
participation in the meetings." Please verify that this cap is solely
for travel and per diem costs, exclusive of labor rates that expert
members may require to be reimbursed?

**AHRQ Response:** This is an honorarium. Travel and per diem costs for
non-Federal expert members' travel to the meeting are separate and are
to be covered with contract funds.

26\. Is the editorial board a true group or a collection of experts who
review and comment per their expertise? Are they AHRQ or drawn from
national/international pools?

**AHRQ Response:** The editorial board could be either or some of both
depending on the contractor's vision for the project. The editorial
board will not be drawn from AHRQ but will be approved by AHRQ.

27\. Is the Expert Panel a governing group and policy and direction
board or do they expect to be involved in operational details/decisions?
Are they all AHRQ staff?

**AHRQ Response:** The Project Expert Panel provides feedback and
guidance to the contractor and Agency. The PEP is not involved in daily
operations or in operational decision-making. They can be called upon,
however, to provide expertise that might guide the contractor in such
decision-making. The PEP is external to the contractor and to AHRQ.

28\. Our organization has a literary advisory board and a lit finder
component that is a clearinghouse for published disease management
innovations in the literature. We are very interested in collaborating
with AHRQ on the clearinghouse because we have already done much of the
preliminary work such as developing guidelines for inclusion, naming an
advisory board of experts in the field, etc. Is it appropriate for us to
submit our work for the RFP or am I missing your goals for this project?

**AHRQ Response:** The Agency encourages organizations like yours to
submit a proposal in response to this solicitation tying your
established infrastructure and experiences to our specific requirements.

29\. Page 80 section 3.1.1 of SOW Appendix states that the Contractor
shall work with the Project Officer to assemble a multidisciplinary
panel of experts, not to exceed twelve (12) members. Can the individuals
that we contract with for the proposal also be a part of the expert
panel and/ or the editorial board?

**AHRQ Response:** No, the Expert Panel and Editorial Board will be
independent of the resultant contract.

**END OF TECHNICAL QUESTIONS**

**Part II. Innovation Clearinghouse Contractual/ Administrative
Questions (#1-19)**

**All questions submitted may not be responded to specifically, many
were duplicates or variations on the same theme, so the intent of the
questions are set forth below with responses.**

**REVISED PROPOSAL SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:**

1\. Can you please clarify the page limits for proposals? (the RFP
contains references to 150 pages and 125 pages).

**Response**: The page limit is 150 pages

2.  Will the technical proposal review panel be composed of AHRQ
    internal staff, external reviewers (a special interest committee) or
    a combination?

**Response:** The AHRQ is required by its legislation provide peer
review for its contract requirements. The peer review technical
evaluation team may consist of up to 25% federal employees and 75% non-
federal employees.

3\. Please clarify the two different ways you are calling out the small
business requirements on page 1. For instance, the parenthetical for
Small Disadvantaged Businesses reads, "(as a percentage of total
contract value for the base period)", whereas the rest are described as
"(as a percentage of total planned subcontract dollars for the base
period.

Please also clarify the total for the subcontracting dollars as there
are conflicts between page 1, 30% and page 62, 23% (also with different
breakdowns for each class.)

Please clarify if offerors can propose other percentages

**Response**: The Small Business subcontracting requirements described
on page 1 of the RFP are correct, the information provided on page 62 is
incorrect. For clarification purposes, the requirements are set forth
below:

> For this acquisition, the AHRQ recommended goal (as a percentage of
> total planned subcontracting dollars for the base period) is 30% for
> Small Businesses, which shall include at least 5% (as a percentage of
> total contract value for the base period) for Small Disadvantaged
> Businesses, at least 5% (as a percentage of total planned subcontract
> dollars for the base period) for Women-Owned Small Businesses, and at
> least 3% (as a percentage of total planned subcontract dollars for the
> base period) for HUBZone Small Businesses and at least 3% (as a
> percentage of total planned subcontract dollars for the base period)
> for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses. These goals represent AHRQ's
> expectation of the minimum level for subcontracting. The North
> American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code that best
> describes the requirement is 541990. The small business size standard
> is \$6.5 million. Any goal proposed at less than the AHRQ recommended
> goal shall be justified and is subject to negotiation.
>
> Note: Small business subcontracting plan that exceed the suggested
> goals are encouraged.

4\. Please define a "major subcontractor" for the purposes of submitting
past performance.

**Response**: A subcontractor which provided substantial technical work
toward the successful completion of the project.

5\. Are resumes to be double spaced?

**Response**: Use your best business judgment

6\. Are resumes/ CVs excluded from the 150 -page limit. Are other
appendixes also excluded from the limit.

**Response**: Resumes/ CVs are excluded from the 150-page limit of the
technical proposal. Appendixes are included in the 150-page limit.

7\. Please resolve the conflict between the number of copies of the past
performance, "volume 2." Page 1 says original and 3 copies, page 58 says
original and 5 copies.

**Response**: Provide an original and three (3) copies of the Past
Performance Information

8\. Section L.10 Technical Proposal Instructions, page 49-50, inserted
between Sections L.8 and L.9, should this L.10 section be deleted?

**Response**: Yes, thank you for pointing out this inconsistency.

9\. Will Attachment 2, Past Performance Questionnaire be modified to
reflect the name of the Innovations Clearinghouse solicitation, or
should we modify this form to include the correct title?

**Response**: Please do MODIFY the first page of Attachment 2, Past
Performance Questionnaire to reference: **Solicitation No. AHRQ-06-00002
Innovations Clearinghouse.** Or, the first page of the Past Performance
Questionnaire, Attachment 2, is also attached to this amendment
correctly identifying the solicitation.

10\. Page 5, section B.2, subpart b, states that the fixed fee will be
paid in installments based on the percentage of completion of work as
determined by the contracting officer. Will the contractor, in
coordination with the contracting officer, set a schedule of milestones
or timeframe for which work is to be completed for which the fixed fee
payments will be based upon?

**Response**: The fixed fee may be invoiced with costs incurred on a
monthly basis. The proposal. The following additional information is
provided: A cost plus award fee type arrangement is anticipated for this
performance based contract. AHRQ usually negotiates a minimal fixed fee
equivalent to approximately 3 to 4% of estimated cost and an award fee
of about the same. Most of AHRQ's contracts are negotiated at a total
fee (fixed and award fee) equivalent to approximately 7-8% of estimated
cost. It's anticipated that the award fee will be paid twice a year.

11\. The solicitation states this is a cost reimbursable proposal.
Please verify when contractor will submit invoices for costs. Will the
contractor, in coordination with the contracting officer, determine a
billing schedule for costs?

**Response:** Invoices for costs incurred may be submitted on a monthly
basis. A billing schedule would not be appropriate for a cost
reimbursement contract. Please note, that by submitting a proposal under
this RFP, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of this RFP and
all of the clauses and provisions set forth. Refer to the Federal
Acquisitions Regulations, part 16.3 Cost Reimbusement Contracts and the
FAR clauses on Allowable Cost and Fee, and Section I of the RFP.

12\. Page 7, section B.4 subpart 5, states that travels to attend
general scientific meetings are unallowable costs under this contract.
Will the Government please verify that the contractor will be reimbursed
for all travel directly related and required in performance of this
contract?

**Response**: Section B.4 states these costs are not allowable as direct
costs, unless authorized in writing by the Contracting Officer. The
contractor will be reimbursed for all travel directly related and
required in performance of this contract, if the travel is required in
the SOW. Travel costs for reimbursement must not be in excess of the
amount allowed for federal employees, reference FAR 31.205.46

13\. Page 7, section B.4 subpart 10 states that consultant fees in
excess of \$1000/day are unallowable costs. Does this include labor
costs only, inclusive of overhead, fringe, and general and
administrative costs? Does the cap apply per consultants, or is this the
cumulative amount contractor is allowed to bill for all consultants
performing under this contract per day? Please verify.

**Response**: Consultants proposed in excess of \$1000/day, per
consultant, require prior Contracting Officer approval. The consultant
cost includes labor and all associated indirect costs.

14\. Page 7, section B.4 subpart 11, states that information technology
hardware and software are unallowable costs under this contract. Does
the Government plan to provide the contractor all hardware and software
required in the performance of this contract? Please explain.

**Response**: No, the Government shall not provide the contractor all
hardware and software required in the performance of this contract. The
technical proposal must include costs and supporting justification for
hardware and software proposed to successfully complete the requirements
of the Statement of Work. Negotiations will include an analysis of the
costs proposed for such hardware and software. In the unlikely event,
the contractor must make further information technology purchases,
Section B.4, subpart 11 will apply. That is, prior approval of the
Contracting Officer must be requested before these costs may be charged
as a direct cost to the contract. Expenditures without the written
Contracting Officer approval will not be reimbursed.

15\. Page 17, section G.1, states that key personnel will be completed
at the time of award. Will all employees performing under this contract
be considered key personnel? Does the Government plan to amend the RFP
to further define the employees performing under this contract that will
be considered key personnel? Please advise.

**Response**: Section G.1 Key Personnel should have stated "To be
[Negotiated]{.underline} at time of contract award." Generally, the Key
Personnel of the contract will be those in key positions such as the
Project Director, PMI-certified Project Manager, Project Manager of
major subcontractor.

16\. Page 24, section H.7, states that the salary cap for individuals
performing under this contract is \$183,500 per year. Will the
Government please verify that this cap is exclusive of all loads,
including overhead, fringe, and general and administrative costs?

**Response:** Yes.

17\. Will the Government please define the place of performance for this
contract?

**Response**: The place of performance will not be at AHRQ.

18\. Will the contractor be responsible for supplying staff or help desk
personnel who will be responsible for dealing with user questions and
issues involving the use of the Innovation Clearinghouse website?

**Response:** Yes

19\. RFP Section L.12 (Business Proposal) outlines the requirements for
the cost/price proposal and states, "a cost proposal....shall be
provided only to the extent that it shall include: 1) Certified,
unloaded labor rates for individuals expected to work on a project of
this size and nature (Class Levels I through IV...)"

Additionally, Attachment 4 to the RFP (Breakdown of Proposed Estimated
Cost and Labor Hours) indicates the provided format is a "universal
guideline" and that offerors should follow Section L for specific cost
requirements for the RFP. Should offerors therefore assume that RFP
Attachment 4 is superseded by the instruction s in Section L.12, and as
a result Attachment 4 should not be completed?

**Response**: Section L.12 BUSINESS PROPOSAL of the RFP is deleted in
its entirety and replaced with the following.

**L.12 BUSINESS PROPOSAL**

> The offeror shall submit as part of the proposal a
> [separate]{.underline} enclosure titled "Business Proposal." The
> Business Proposal shall include the Cost/Price Proposal, the Small
> Business Subcontracting Plan, and Other Administrative Data in
> accordance with the following:

A. [Cost/Price Proposal]{.underline}

[*A cost proposal shall be submitted in accordance with FAR 15, in a
format similar to Attachment 4. The offeror's own format may be
utilized, but all required information in Attachment 4 shall be
provided.* (]{.underline}Emphasis added)

The business proposal must contain sufficient information to allow the
Government to perform a basic analysis of the proposed cost or price of
the work. This information shall include the amounts of the basic
elements of the proposed cost or price.

As appropriate, cost breakdowns shall be provided for the following cost
elements.

\(a\) [Direct Labor]{.underline}

> The estimated cost for all personnel who will be assigned for direct
> work on this project shall be included. Give the name, title, percent
> of effort or time, salary and fringe benefits for each employee.
>
> Salary increases that are anticipated during performance of a
> resultant contract should be proposed as a cost. If escalation is
> included, state the degree (percent) and methodology, e.g., annual
> flat rate applied to a base rate as of a specific date or a
> mid-pointed rate for the period of performance. State whether any
> additional direct labor (new hires) will be required during the
> performance period of this procurement. If so, state the number
> required and anticipated date of hire. Also, specify the month and day
> on which your fiscal year commences.

\(b\) [Supplies and Equipment]{.underline}

> Include description, unit price, quantity, total price, justification
> for purchasing or leasing items and the basis for pricing (vendor
> quotes, invoices prices, etc.).
>
> \(c\) [Travel]{.underline}
>
> The amount proposed for travel shall be supported with a breakdown
> which includes purposes, destination, duration, and estimated cost
> (transportation and per diem) for each proposed trip. If travel costs
> are proposed on the basis of your organization's established travel
> policy, a copy of the policy must be provided.
>
> \(d\) [Consultants]{.underline}
>
> This element should include name(s) of consultant, number of days, and
> daily rate. The method of obtaining each consultant, either sole
> source or competitive, and the degree of competition or the rationale
> for sole source shall be explained.
>
> \(e\) [Subcontractors]{.underline}
>
> Subcontractor costs shall be broken down and supported by cost and
> pricing data adequate to establish the reasonableness of the proposed
> amount. Subcontract cost detail should be similar to the level of
> detail provided for the prime contractor, with the same cost elements.
> Support documentation should include degree of subcontract competition
> and basis for selecting source.
>
> \(f\) [Other Direct Costs]{.underline}
>
> Any proposed other direct costs shall be supported with breakdown
> outlining the separate costs proposed and details supporting the
> formulation of the costs proposed. A signed agreement between the
> offeror and any personnel other than direct employees that includes
> dates of employment, salary, and specific tasks to be performed should
> be included.
>
> \(g\) [Indirect Costs]{.underline}
>
> Indicate how you have computed and applied indirect costs, and provide
> a basis for evaluating the reasonableness of the proposed rates.

B.  [Small Business Subcontracting Plan:]{.underline}

> All offerors except small businesses are required to submit a
> subcontracting plan in accordance with the Small Business
> Subcontracting Plan, FAR 52.219-9, incorporated in this solicitation.
> A copy of the AHRQ model subcontracting plan is available at
> <http://www/lmpwmet/hhs.gov/smallbus/sbplan-hhs.pdf> . If the model
> plan is not used, all elements outlined must be addressed in the
> offeror's format. **If the offeror is not a small business and fails
> to submit a subcontracting plan with the initial proposal, the offeror
> will be considered nonresponsive and their proposal will be returned
> without further consideration.**
>
> **[This provision does not apply to small business concerns. This
> provision does apply to all other offerors, including large business
> concerns, colleges, universities and non-profit
> organizations.]{.underline}**

The term "subcontract" means any agreement (other than one involving an
employer-employee relationship) entered into by a Federal Government
prime contractor or subcontractor calling for supplies or services
required for the performance of the original contract or subcontract.
This includes, but is not limited to, agreements/ purchase orders for
supplies and services such as equipment purchase, copying services, and
travel services.

The offeror understands that:

a\. No contract will be awarded unless and until an acceptable plan is
negotiated with the Contracting Officer. The plan will be incorporated
in to the contract.

b\. An acceptable plan must, in the determination of the Contracting
officer, provide the maximum practicable opportunity for small business
concerns and small business concerns owned and controlled by socially
and economically disadvantaged persons to participate in the performance
of the contract.

c\. If a subcontracting plan acceptable to the Contracting Officer is
not negotiated within the time limits prescribed by the contracting
activity and such failure arises out of causes within the control and
with the fault or negligence of the offeror, the offeror shall be
ineligible for award. The Contracting Officer shall notify the
Contractor in writing of the reasons for determining a subcontracting
plan unacceptable early enough in the negotiation process to allow the
Contractor to modify the plan within the time limits prescribed.

d\. Prior compliance of the offeror with other such subcontracting plans
under previous contracts will be considered by the Contracting Officer
in determining the responsibility of the offeror for award of the
contract.

e\. It is the offeror's responsibility to develop a satisfactory
subcontracting plan with respect to small business concerns and small
business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically
disadvantaged individuals, and women-owned small business concerns, and
that each such aspect of the offeror's plan will be judged independent
of the other.

f\. The offeror will submit, as required by the Contracting Officer,
subcontracting reports in accordance with the instructions thereon, and
as further directed by the Contracting Officer. Subcontractors will also
submit these reports to the Government Contracting Officer or as
otherwise directed, with a copy to the prime Contractor's designated
small and disadvantaged business liaison.

g.  For this particular acquisition, the AHRQ recommended goal (as a
    percentage of total contract value for the base period) is 30% for
    Small Businesses, which shall include at least 5% (as a percentage
    of total planned subcontract dollars for the base period) for Small
    Disadvantaged Businesses, at least 5% (as a percentage of total
    planned subcontract dollars total planned subcontract dollars for
    the base period) for Women-Owned Small Businesses, and at least 3%
    (as a percentage of total planned subcontract dollars for the base
    period) for HUBZone Small Businesses and at least 3% (as a
    percentage of total planned subcontract dollars for the base period)
    for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses. These goals represent AHRQ's
    expectations of the minimum level for subcontracting with small
    business at the prime contract level. Any goal stated less than the
    AHRQ recommended goal shall be justified and is subject to
    negotiation.

C. Other Administrative Data

\(1\) [Terms and Conditions]{.underline}: The proposal shall stipulate
that it is predicated upon the terms and conditions of the RFP. In
addition, it shall contain a statement to the effect that it is firm for
a period of at least 120 days from the date of receipt thereof by the
Government.

> Minimum Bid Acceptance Period (April 1984)

\(a\) \"Acceptance period,\" as used in this provision, means the number
of calendar days available to the Government for awarding a contract
from the date specified in this solicitation for receipt of bids.

\(b\) This provision supersedes any language pertaining to the
acceptance period that may appear elsewhere in this solicitation.

\(c\) The Government requires a minimum acceptance period of

> 120 days.

\(d\) A bid allowing less than the Government\'s minimum acceptance
period may be rejected.

\(e\) The bidder agrees to execute all that it has undertaken to do, in
compliance with its bid, if that bid is accepted in writing within (i)
the acceptance period stated in paragraph (3) above, or (ii) any longer
acceptance period stated in paragraph (4) above.

\(2\) [Authority to Conduct Negotiations]{.underline}: The proposal
shall list the names and telephone numbers of persons authorized to
conduct negotiations and to execute contracts.

> \(3\) [Property]{.underline}:

\(a\) It is HHS policy that contractors will provide all equipment and
facilities necessary for performance of contracts. Exception may be
granted to furnish Government-owned property, or to authorize purchase
with contract funds, only when approved by the contracting officer. If
additional equipment must be acquired, you shall include the
description, estimated cost of each item and whether you will furnish
such items with your own funds.

\(b\) You shall identify Government-owned property in your possession
and/or property acquired from Federal funds to which you have title that
is proposed to be used in the performance of the prospective contract.

\(c\) The management and control of any Government property shall be in
accordance with HHS Publication (OS) 74-115 entitled, [Contractor\'s
Guide for Control of Government Property]{.underline}\" 1990, a copy of
which will be provided upon request.

> \(4\) [Royalties]{.underline}: You shall furnish information
> concerning royalties which are anticipated to be paid in connection
> with the performance of work under the proposed contract.

\(5\) [Commitments]{.underline}: You shall list other commitments with
the Government relating to the specified work or services and indicate
whether these commitments will or will not interfere with the completion
of work and/or services contemplated under this proposal.

\(6\) [Financial Capacity]{.underline}: You shall provide sufficient
data to indicate that you have the necessary financial capacity, working
capital, and other resources to perform the contract without assistance
from any outside source. If not, indicate the amount required and the
anticipated source. (Financial data such as balance sheets, profit and
loss statements, cash forecasts, and financial histories of your
organization\'s affiliated concerns should be utilized.)

\(7\) [Performance Capability]{.underline}: You shall provide acceptable
evidence of your \"ability to obtain\" equipment, facilities, and
personnel necessary to perform the requirements of this project. If
these are not represented in your current operations, they should
normally be supported by commitment or explicit arrangement, which is in
existence at the time the contract is to be awarded, for the rental,
purchase, or other acquisition of such resources, equipment, facilities,
or personnel. In addition, you shall indicate your ability to comply
with the required or proposed delivery or performance schedule taking
into consideration all existing business commitments, commercial as well
as Government.

8.  Representations and Certifications: Section K, \"Representations and
    Certifications and Other Statements of Offerors\" shall be completed
    and signed by an official authorized to bind your organization.
    **This section shall be made a part of the original business
    proposal.**

**This is the end of Section L.12 Business Proposal**

**Part III [Interested Offerors who agreed to listing their name for
]{.underline}**

> **[subcontracting opportunities]{.underline}**

National Technology Transfer Center

Michael B. Bowman, Director

Computer Information Systems

Wheeling Jesuit University

316 Washington Ave.

[www.nttc.edu](http://www.nttc.edu/)

800-678-6882

304-243-2192

DFI Government Services

Mr. Matt Travis, Vice President

1717 Pennsylvania Ave, NW

Suite 1200

Washington, DC 20006

ECRI

Vivian Coates, MBA, Vice President

Information Services and

Technology Assessment

5200 Butler Pike

Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462

AnteonCorporation

Andrea Botticelli, Contracts Manager

3211 Jermantown Road

Fairfax, VA 22030

MTS Technologies, Inc.

Harold Guidry, Director of Contract

2800 Shirlington Road, Suite 1000

Arlington, VA 22206

703-575-2909

Science Applications International Corporation

J. Pierce Martin, Assist. VP for Administration

Westat

Veronica Nieva, Vice President

1650 Research Blvd.

Rockville, MD 20850

**IV. Attachment 2, Past Performance Questionnaire, cover page, on next
page, which is last page of amendment.**

**ATTACHMENT 2**

**PAST PERFORMANCE QUESTIONNAIRE**

**PART ONE: INSTRUCTIONS**

The offeror listed below has submitted a proposal in response to the
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) **Solicitation No.
AHRQ-06-00001, entitled "Innovations Clearinghouse."** Past performance
is an important part of the evaluation criteria for this acquisition, so
input from previous customers of the offeror is important. This office
would greatly appreciate you taking the time to complete this form.
**This information is to be provided to Mary Haines, the AHRQ
Contracting Officer and is NOT to be disclosed to the offeror either
verbally or in writing.** Please provide an honest assessment and return
to AHRQ to the address shown below, no later than **July 25, 2006, 12
noon EST**. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Haines via
e-mail at the new e-mail address <mary.haines@ahrq.hhs.gov>.

Mary Haines

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Division of Contracts Management

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, Maryland 20850

FAX: (301) 427-1740

NAME OF
OFFEROR:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(Please print or type)

ADDRESS:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**INCLUDE THIS PAGE WHEN PROVIDING PAST PERFORMANCE EVALUATION TO AHRQ**