**RFQ No.: NLM-07-074/RHW**

**AIDS Community Information Outreach Project 2007**

***[Frequently Asked Questions]{.underline}***

**(1) Are the AIDS Community Outreach Project 2007 awards grants or
contracts?**

All awards issued under RFQ. NLM-07-074/RHW, AIDS Community Outreach
Project 2007 will be contracts (Purchase Orders).

**(2) What's the difference between a grant and a contract?**

A Federal grant is a financial assistance mechanism providing money,
property, or both to an eligible entity to carry out an approved project
or activity. A grant is usually used when there is no substantial
programmatic involvement with the recipient during performance of the
financially assisted activities.

A contract is an award instrument establishing a mutually binding legal
relationship between the Government (buyer) and a Contractor/Vendor
(seller), obligating the seller to furnish/deliver goods, supplies, or
services whose functional and performance qualities are defined in the
contract, and the buyer to pay for them. Contract performance is
monitored closely to ensure accomplishment of the Statement of Work.

**(3) What is the difference between an RFP and an RFQ?**

[The RFQ (Request For Quotation)]{.underline} is the solicitation
document used in Simplified Acquisitions procedures to communicate the
Government requirements to prospective vendors/contractors. (FAR 13.307)
and to solicit quotes from them. A response to a request for quotations
is called a quote or quotation. As it is merely a request for
information, a quote is not considered an offer that could bind the
quoter to a contract if accepted. (FAR 2.101) When an RFQ is used, the
Government will issue a purchase order to the successful offeror(s). The
vendor then agrees to accept or not accept the purchase order.

[The RFP (Request For Proposal)]{.underline} is the solicitation
document used in negotiated procurements to communicate Government
requirements to prospective contractors and to solicit Proposals from
them. A response to an RFP is called a proposal. The proposal is
considered an offer from the contractor. When using an RFP, the
Government will award a contract to the successful offeror(s).

**(4) The solicitation states that the NAICS Code for this requirement
is "624190," must my organization be registered under this NAICS code in
order to receive an award?**

**[All awardees must be registered in the]{.underline} Central
Contractor Registration (CCR) database** **and should list NAICS Code**
**["624190 Other Individual and Family Services" as an applicable
business area.]{.underline}** For more information on NAICS Codes,
please visit the following website:
[http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/naics.html](../%20http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/naics.html).

(**5) The FedBizOpps synopsis states that all responsible offers may
submit a quote. What does "responsible" mean?**

A "responsible" prospective contractor/vendor means a contractor that
meets the standards in FAR 9.104. In accordance with the FAR, to be
determined responsible, a prospective contractor must:

-   Have adequate financial resources to perform the contract, or the
    ability to obtain them;

-   Be able to comply with the required or proposed delivery or
    performance schedule, taking into consideration all existing
    commercial and governmental business commitments;

-   Have a satisfactory record of performance, integrity and business
    ethics;

-   Have the necessary technical equipment and facilities or the ability
    to obtain them; and

-   Be qualified and eligible to receive an award under applicable laws
    and regulations.

**(6) Does our organization need a DUNS number?**

Yes, all vendors need a DUNS number. A DUNS number may be obtained
immediately, at no charge, by calling Dun and Bradstreet at
1-866-705-5711 or via the Internet at
<https://eupdate.dnb.com/requestoptions/government/ccrreg/>. Please
note, a DUNS number is needed to register in the Central Contractor
Registry (CCR). D&B DUNS Number is a unique nine-digit sequence
recognized as the universal standard for identifying and keeping track
of over 100 million businesses worldwide. A DUNS number enhances the
credibility of your business in the marketplace. It enables potential
customers and lenders to easily identify and learn about your company.

**(7) Does our organization need to register in the Central Contractor
Registry**

**(CCR).**

Yes, it is federally mandated that organizations wishing to do business
with the federal government under a FAR-based contract must be
registered in CCR before being awarded the contract. If you already have
a DUNS number, you can register on-line at
[http://www.ccr.gov](http://www.ccr.gov/) by clicking on \"Register in
CCR.\" If you need a DUNS number follow the instructions at
[http://www.ccr.gov/vendor.aspx](http://www.ccr.gov/vendor.aspx#5a).
Further information regarding registration is available in the CCR
handbook at
[www.ccr.gov/handbook.aspx](http://www.ccr.gov/handbook.aspx). If you
experience problems with your registration, please contact the CCR help
desk at 888-227-2423. Please note, there is no cost to vendors for
registering in CCR. One\'s CCR registration in no way guarantees winning
a contract or an increase in business.

**(8) Does our organization need to complete and submit on-line
Representations and Certifications?**

Yes, the Online Representations and Certifications (ORCA) website can be
found at: [http://www.bpn.gov](http://www.bpn.gov/) and clicking on
\"Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA)\" on the
left side of the screen. Please the following items are required in
order to submit your Reps & Certs: (1) An active record in CCR, (2) An
MPIN from that active CCR record. More information about ORCA can be
found in the ORCA Handbook at:
[https://orca.bpn.gov/miscl/ORCA%20Handbook.pdf](https://orca.bpn.gov/miscl/ORCA Handbook.pdf).

Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) replaces
most of the paper based Representations and Certifications (Reps and
Certs) in Section K of solicitations with an Internet application. FAR
52.204-8 mandates the use of ORCA on or after January 1, 2005.

**(9) Can our organization submit a quotation for both an Express and a
Standard?**

**Award?**

Yes, your organization may submit quotations for both the Express and
Standard award, if the quotations are for different work. All vendors
must certify that their organization has not previously been, nor is
currently being, paid for essentially equivalent work by any agency of
the Federal Government.

**(10) My organization plans to submit an Express Award. What
attachments are required?**

If your organization plans to submit a quotation for an Express Award,
the following documents must be included with your quotation:

Attachment No. 5 -- Express Award Proposal Cover Sheet

Attachment No. 10 -- Application for NLM AIDS Information Express Award

**(11) My organization plans to submit a Standard Award. What
attachments are required**?

If your organization plans to submit a quotation for a Standard Award,
the following documents must be included with your proposal/quotation:

Attachment No. 4 -- Standard Award Proposal Cover Sheet

Attachment No. 6 -- Standard Award Matrices

Attachment No. 9 - Cost Breakdown Form