The purpose of amendment 0005 is to identify the response date. The questions and answers remain the same as in previous amendments. The response date remains May 19, 2010. Question Is there a minimum and/or maximum time restriction for the video clips? Answer Updated Section L.2.3 Volume I: Technical Proposal. Part 3 Key Personnel to read - The video shall demonstrate the instructor's teaching style and should be between five (5) minutes and ten (10) in length. The five (5) minute minimum and ten (10) maximum apply to each individual instructor's video clip. Questions and Answers from Amendment 0003 1. Question How is FAC-C learning being validated now? Answer Most CON courses contain a pre- and post-assessment and intern cohorts are provided with a government developed and issued competency assessment at the start and finish of each program year 2. Question How will the "knowledge transfer" occur between FAC-C contractors and awardee? Answer Offerors should propose the methodology for knowledge transfer in their proposals. 3. Question On page 45, item 1c, it says " shall include at least one (1) project management course and one (1) leadership course. The duration of the project management course shall be a minimum of one (1) week in length." What is the expected duration of the "leadership course"? Answer The current duration of the leadership curriculum is outlined in the table on page 44 (Section J, Attachment 4). Offerors shall propose the design and implementation of a leadership training program in accordance with Attachment J.4, paragraph A1(d). 4. Question How will the cost to provide a "web based content management system" be covered? Answer The offeror's proposal should account for this in their hourly rate. 5. Question Is there an existing schedule of planned FAC-C training courses per cohort? If so, please provide that data to allow us to illustrate a thorough sequencing diagram. Answer There currently is no proposed schedule of FAC-C training that coincides with this requirement. Offerors shall propose their solution for sequencing program components in their proposal. After contract award, all parties will work together to solidify exact dates for all program components. 6. Question Please describe the technology currently in use to manage student registration, reporting, assessing and cross-functional communications. Answer: The intern cohorts are government employees and they are in-resident. All communications between government and contractor are either done through e-mail or in-person. 7. Question Due to the significant nature of potential responses to the questions submitted, it is requested that the proposal due date be extended to 7 business days past the receipt of the VA's answers. Answer The due date for proposals remains at 3:00 local time on May 19, 2010 as stated in the solicitation. 8. Question Attachment J.4, paragraph 1a, first sentence refers to "Using the chart in Section C.1 as a baseline and guide, ---". Section C1, does not contain such a chart. Answer Attachment J.4, paragraph 1a, first sentence has been corrected to read " Using the chart in J.4 Section A, Statement of Work, as a baseline and guide, the contractor shall propose an intern program that is 36 months in length. 9. Question If all days are added for each component in the chart on page 44, they exceed the maximum work days in a given year. Please clarify? Answer The chart was provided just to give offerors' a general snapshot of the current program components. The proposed sequencing is limited to a normal work year. 10. Question Will on-site facilities and government Furnished property (GFP) be provided to the successful offeror? If so, how much of each? Answer No 11. Question Is there a specified file format for submission of the video clips? Answer Quick Time or Windows Media will be used to view the video clips. 12. Question Is there a minimum and/or maximum time restriction for the video clips? Answer Corrected Section L.2.3 Volume I: Technical Proposal. Part 3 Key Personnel - added the following sentence - The video shall be between five (5) minutes and ten (10) minutes in length. 13. Question Are offerors allowed to hand-carry CD-ROM proposals to CAI Frederick (Page 86, Section L.2.5.1 ELECTRONIC FILE SUBMISSION) Answer Yes, offerors are allowed to hand-carry CD-ROM proposal to CAI Frederick. Please make sure the proposal is addressed to Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Acquisition Innovation - Frederick, Attention: James Poe, 7485 New Horizon Way, Frederick, MD 21703. 14. Question Do resumes count toward the 30 page limit in the Technical proposal? Answer No 15. Question Do letters of commitment count toward the 30 page limit in the Technical proposal? Answer No 16. Question On page 44 you reference a chart in Section C.1. There appears to be no such chart in the RFP; could you please clarify this reference? Answer Please refer to question number 8. 17. Question Could hard copy fingerprints be submitted in lieu of electronic fingerprinting? (Page 12 section (ii) Electronic Fingerprint Form) Answer Hard copy fingerprints cannot be submitted in lieu of electronic fingerprinting. 18. Question Does the Times New Roman 10pt. font restriction apply to graphics and tables? Answer Yes, the Times New Roman 10pt font restriction applies to graphics and tables. 19. Question Do the tables of contents, list of figures, and cover page count towards the 30 page limit in the Technical proposal? Answer No 20. Question Is the incumbent eligible to bid on the contract? Answer Yes, the incumbent is eligible to bid on the contract. 21. Question What current curriculum materials can be made available? Answer The solicitation includes all of the materials that will be made available. 22. Question Is there an intern 'roadmap' or program guide available for those interns already in the program that can be shared by the bidders to review during the proposal process? Answer There is not a roadmap that is available for offerors. However, the purpose of the chart on p. 44 (Attachment J.4) is to provide a general snapshot of the required program components. Offerors are required to propose the sequencing that they determine to be the best solution in developing future generations of trusted business advisors in contracting for the VA. The components and their sequencing should provide a comprehensive curricula and holistic approach to ensure that interns learn an array of skills and obtain requisite acquisition certifications. 23. Question Is there any certification other than FAC-C required in the program? Answer No. 24. Question Are the interns Federal career interns or Federal Presidential Management Fellows? Answer Interns are in the Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP). 25. Question Upon completion of the program, at what typical level are the graduates working - Level 7-9 or 9-11 (or their equivalents)? Answer The three-year internship program begins at the GS-7 level with full performance to the GS-12 level. . 26. Question Is the contractor required to maintain records on all interns? Answer Refer to Attachment J.4, C. Task Order Deliverables - page 48, items 3, 6, and 7. In order to participate in the In process review and to provide summary of intern grades for all training on a quarterly basis, the contractor will need to maintain certain types of records on all interns in order to meet these requirements. 27. Question What documentation is required for conversion from intern to FTE? Answer This will be handled by the VA. 28. Question Is new curriculum development required or do existing materials need enhancement? Answer The successful contractor will be required to develop materials. Refer to Attachment J.4, A.1 Statement of Work p. 44 and 45 - The contractor will be required to (b) develop and implement the hands-on learning laboratories/skill building; (d) design and implement a leadership training program. 29. Question Have the criteria for interns' success been determined, e.g., retention, conversion? Answer No 30. Question What is the current intern recruitment process? Answer The VA strategically recruits for GS-1102's throughout the country under the FCIP. Candidates for the program must have a Bachelor's Degree or a minimum of 24 hours of business credits to be considered. Under this requirement, the contractor will not be responsible for the recruitment of intern classes. 31. Question Where are the interns recruited from? Answer The VA strategically recruits throughout the country. 32. Question On page 45, item C, "the contractor shall be responsible for providing FAC-C elective requirements, which at a minimum shall include at least (1) one Project Management course and one (1) leadership course ". Are these two elective topics to be offered as a minimum per certification level or across all three certification levels? Answer The electives are to be offered as a minimum per certification level. 33. Question On page 46, item J, "Additional Feedback by instructors in the form of coaching is required." Is this the internship program contractor's or the FAC-C contractor's responsibility? Answer This is a requirement of the Program Management and Training contractor under this requirement. 34. Question Page 46, Item J. What is the response requirement from the FAC-C contractor to meet this timeframe? Answer The individual written feedback about intern performance for all training over 24 hours (3 days) is required no later than five (5) business days after course completion. (Refer to Attachment J.4, C. Task Order Deliverables - page 48, item 6.) 35. Question Page 44, Item 1A. How long is the typical job rotational assignment? How diverse is the geographic scope of these rotations, as it can impact sequencing of events? Are the rotations similar in scope for each of the cohort participants? Answer The majority of job rotations will be in the Frederick, Maryland, and Washington, DC - Baltimore, Maryland, metropolitan area with potential opportunities at various VA facilities across the nation depending on the acquisition support needs of the department. There are VA facilities in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Guided by seasoned professionals, interns will complete job assignments that may take place in Frederick, Maryland, or in the field at a VA facility or VA administrative office. As the program progresses, the interns will transition from participating in formal coursework to devoting more time to job rotation assignments. Knowledge is also broadened by visits to VA Medical Centers and meetings with industry representatives. The length of the job rotation period varies throughout the three year period. During the first year, typically the rotations last between 1 month and 3 months; during the second year, the rotations typically range between 2 months and 2 months; during the third year, rotations encompass the majority of the year. The scope of the work the interns participate in during their rotational periods is dependent upon the type of acquisition work being performed at the various locations. 36. Question What ate the requirements for a VA-specific system (firewall/web/system)? Answer At this time there is no intent on the part of the Government for the contractor to have connection through the firewall when not on VA premises.