July 7, 2003

NOTICE TO ALL OFFERORS

REFERENCE: AMENDMENT NO. 2
RFP-DCS-03-24

Additional information has been requested by prospective offerors and it has been determined by the Contracting Officer that this information is made available to all bidders. The closing date and time for the receipt of proposals has been extended to July 22, 2003, by 2:00 p.m. local time.

KEITH A. BOND
Contracting Officer

Attachment

1. We would like to know if "net impact" (as used in Objective 6, Section C.3) is being used in the traditional sense of a "cost/benefit" study that takes into account the costs of service delivery and pre-program wages as well as post-program wages. Alternately, does DOL really mean a comparison between pre- and post-program earnings for participants in TAA versus non-TAA dislocated workers? A "net impact" study would necessitate fiscal information for the programs in each state that was part of the study.

1. Answer: By a net impact study, we mean a study that uses a "comparison group" - a group of individuals similar to TAA participants who do not receive services or benefits under TAA - to measure the effect the TAA program has on the employment and earnings of its participants. Clearly the identification of such a comparison group is a major issue that should be addressed in the proposal's technical approach. Offerors may also propose a cost-benefit study - which would build on the net impact study and go a step further to monetize the effects and compare them to costs. Regarding fiscal information, offerors should note that the RFP states "the evaluation should provide information on…funding utilization/fiscal management, including information on obligations and expenditures." (Page C-3).

2. To what extent is DOL interested in the process by which employers/unions/ workers/ the state TAA coordinator become aware of the potential for TAA certification? There is no mention in Section C objectives about what proportion of eligible companies are getting certified and the process by which that occurs. Will this be a factor in the evaluation process of the new trade law? Alternatively, is DOL only interested in an evaluation of the process and impact from the point at which certification is granted to employers?

1. Answer: The process by which companies, unions and individuals become aware of opportunities to obtain TAA certification and the effects of the DOL's certification process is of interest to DOL, particularly regarding the implementation and longer process study in the proposed evaluation. Specifically, the new legislation shortens the period for review of petitions from 60 to 40 days and requires the Governors and the Secretary to take actions upon receipt of a petition. The major thrust of the impact study in the evaluation should be on the effects after certification has been received, however.

3. Response to question 15 of Amendment 1 indicates that there is only one report on the previous evaluation "International Trade and Worker Dislocation: Evaluation of the Trade Adjustment Program," April 1993, Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. - which can be obtained through DOL. However, on page 9 of the above referenced report there is also reference to "process evaluation….…..a separate report (Corson, Gleason, and Patch, 1992), is based on information that was collected during site visits to ………" We feel it is essential that the study be made available in its entirety, since developing an appropriate proposal without the previous process evaluation would be problematic. Moreover, if Mathematica is a bidder, they will have an unfair advantage in being the only bidder in possession of the previous evaluation of process. Will DOL make available the second report?

1. Answer: Yes. It can be obtained from Chari A. Magruder, Contract Specialist by submitting an email request to magruder.chari@dol.gov.

4. Section M.2.B paragraph 2 requests current employment status of personnel proposed for work under this RFP, i.e. "…..currently employed…. or are dependent upon planned recruitment or subcontracting." Section M.2.B.4 and M.2.B (8) of the evaluation factor requests a "modified resume for each person involved in the project".

1. Will resumes be required for ALL key and non-key personnel proposed on this project - excluding administrative and clerical personnel?
   1. Answer: Yes.

2. Can personnel be proposed as 'New Hires' by which no resume will be required?
   1. Answer: No.

3. What does DOL consider to be "professional personnel?"
   1. Answer: Professional personnel are all staff excluding administrative/clerical positions, and consultants unless consultants are proposed in key personnel positions.

4. Given that some tasks will not begin until after the first 6-8 months after the start of the project, and that DOL requires a letter of intent/commitment for a minimum of six months, does DOL expect resumes and letters of intent/commitment for those personnel who may not actually begin working on the task for another year?
   1. Answer: Yes, DOL expects resumes and letters of intent/commitment for those personnel who may not actually begin working on the task for another year?

5. Based on the relevance, impact, and legal implications of the above would DOL consider extending the proposal due date for a minimum of one week so that offerors are given the opportunity to submit a more complete and responsive proposal?

1. Answer: The solicitation's proposal due date is extended to July 22, 2003, 2:00 p.m., local time.

6. Our question about publishing after project completion addressed in question 35 of your amendment may not have been sufficiently explicit. Would it be acceptable to prepare a paper after the project is completed that includes findings from the study as well as other material?

1. Answer: Once DOL releases the study data (see deliverable 7, page F-2), individuals may prepare and publish papers related to the evaluation.