Questions submitted by 6/26/2011 1. Could you extend the response deadline for questions until Tuesday June 28, 2011? ANSWER: Considering this solicitation is only open for 14-days and that responses are due NLT 2:00 pm July 5, 2011, we are unable to extend the deadline for questions. 2. How should the proposal be submitted by July 5, 2011? ANSWER: Submit all technical, past performance, socio-economic, and price proposals to the Contract Specialist, Brian L. Kadel, at: [email protected]; and "cc" Robert Cody, at [email protected]. NOTE: The solicitation number, and the offeror's Tax Identification Number (TIN) and DUN and Bradstreet number shall be included on proposals. The technical proposal and price proposal shall be submitted in separate Excel and/or Microsoft Word files. Offerors are required to send Past Performance Questionnaire forms (Attachment A) to three past performance references. These references shall complete the surveys and e-mail them directly to the Contract Specialist, Brian L. Kadel, at: [email protected]; and "cc" Robert Cody, at [email protected], no later than the closing date and time for receipt of proposals. Due date for receipt of proposals is 2:00 pm EDT, Tuesday, July 5, 2011. 3. Does the Department of Veterans Affairs have facilities in Austin and DC that could potentially be used to hold the training? If not, we would need to know the estimated number of participants and proposed training dates with a few months lead time in order to secure the facilities. ANSWER: Per the SOW, Section B, Number of Participants and Course Location. The class size will be limited to a maximum number of 40 participants. The facilities are to be provided by the contractor in the Washington, D.C and Austin, TX Metro Areas. The Government will issue task orders for the required courses; dates for the required course and location will be made by mutual agreement between the contractor and government. 4. Is it possible to receive a copy of the prior winning proposal to gain insight on how to compile the proposal? If not, do the Department of Veterans Affairs have an instructional manual to help new offerors complete the solicitation? ANSWER: No, This is a new requirement; therefore, there is no incumbent. For assistance with completing the solicitation please see answer to question #2, above. 5. My firm is in the process of obtaining the HUBZone and EDWOSB certification process with the SBA. This certification may not be completed prior to the due date of this solicitation. I am registered with the ORCA website; however, I could not indicate that I'm a EDWOSB and HUBZone in ORCA until I receive notification from the SBA. Is there a way to submit with the solicitation a statement or evidence that I qualify for the programs and that my application is being reviewed by the SBA? Will this help in the Factor 3 category of Socio-economic consideration? ANSWER: Per Section E-Solicitation Provisions, Evaluation Methodology, Factor 3: SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONSIDERATION, the VA shall evaluate offerors based on their service-disabled veteran-owned or veteran-owned small business status and their proposed use of eligible service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses and veteran-owned small businesses as subcontractors. The order of preference shall be: a. To Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB); b. To Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), including but not limited to SDVOSBs; then c. Non-Veteran Owned firms proposing to use SDVOSB or VOSB as sub-contractors with executed teaming agreements, mentor protégé, or the like for 7% or more of the value to an SDVOSB or 10% or more of the value to a VOSB. 6. Are the Past Performance Questionnaire mandatory with the submission of the solicitation? Will a neutral rating be given to the entire category of Past Performance or just the piece that is missing the Past Performance Questionnaires? ANSWER: Per Section E-SOLICITATION PROVISIONS, Factor 2: PAST PERFORMANCE, In the event that no Past Performance questionnaires are received for an Offeror, the Government will give the Offeror a neutral rating. Ratings will be issued for the entire category.

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