R -- Developing a More Strategic Approach to Federal Student Financial Aid for Higher Education (OUS Federal Student Financial Aid Study, Phase 1)

The purpose of this amendment is to provide the Department's responses to questions received. RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS 1. From my understanding, the contractor will have two consultants, facilitating two separate 2-day workshops at the same time. They will be held in two separate rooms. Will they be in the same city? Response: Yes, the workshops will be in the same city, and likely the same building. 2. We would like to clarify details of the 10 pages (double spaced, 12 pt. font) size limit. Could you please let me know if the 10-page size limit excludes the cover page and table of contents? Response: Yes, the 10-page size limit excludes the cover page and table of contents. 3. You are looking for 2 consultants to do 2 simultaneous 2 day workshops for approx. l5 people each, same location, same days, yes? Response: Yes. 4. You want to create a vision for the financial aid system (assuming re-design and compliance w/alignment to policy objectives & retention? In addition garner thoughts/ideas as the biggest opportunities to change the system? Response: The vision should reflect judgments about the biggest opportunities to change the system, consistent with the policy objectives outlined in the Statement of Work. 5. What is the length of the debrief with ED and staff and when will it be held? at a different time than the 2 day workshop? This impacts proposal and travel costs. Response: The date(s) of the debriefing have not been determined. It may take place over several days, and can take place over the phone. The debriefing will not exceed 8 hours. 6. You mention contactor is to provide expert opinion on policy goals, guiding principles, high-level assessment and critical design elements. Is this 'expert opinion' based on data from the 2-day workshop? Or do you expect the contractors to bring expertise of their own? Response: The contractors are not expected to bring their own expertise of the federal student financial aid system. Expert opinion is based on data from the 2-day workshop. The contractor is expected to bring expertise on facilitating groups, and on the broad process management strategies that can assist in a redesign of the federal student financial aid system. 7. Have the specialists/experts been invited? If they have not been invited, do you have any concern about availability of these specialists/experts for a two-day workshop to be held in DC no later than Feb 16? Response: The Department has identified a list of specialists and experts representing users of the current federal student financial aid system: institutional and state-level financial aid administrators, students, and student aid researchers. If individuals contacted are not able to participate in the workshop as scheduled, alternates will be selected. 8. Is the contractor expected to cover travel expenses for the specialists/experts invited? Response: No. 9. Do you have a preferred budget format for the quote? Response: The budget should provide a breakdown and explanation of all the various cost elements to include but not be limited by the labor rates, labor hours, travel cost and other direct cost, if any. 10. As a purchase order, this contract cannot exceed $25,000 ? is that correct? Response: A purchase order is anything from $1.00 to $99,999.99. The quote should be based upon your experience with doing similar type of work and the requirement as stated in the Statement of Work. Ed will manage all logistical aspects of the workshops including site identification and material preparation. Experts will be identified and invited by ED. 11. Can you provide a listing of the 17 financial aid programs referenced in the solicitation? Response: Please refer to the National Commission on the Future of Higher Education's final report at http://www.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/hiedfuture/reports/final-report.pdf, which contains a reference to at least 17 federal student financial aid programs, and the Commission's overall assessment of the system. 12. Will the workshops be audiotaped for subsequent transcription by ED? Is the contractor responsible for audiotaping the workshops? Response: The contractor is not responsible for audio taping the workshops. A decision about whether and how to record these proceedings has not been made. 13. Who is the ED contact person for the workshop content? Response: Kristin D. Conklin, Senior Counselor to the Undersecretary, kristin.conklin@ed.gov. This information is provided for your convenience. Prior to the issuance of the purchase order all communication must be through the Contracts Office. The point of contact is Lakaiha Davis.