QUESTIONS & ANSWERS REGARDING
              LC/FEDLINK RFP 98-1
            June 4 - June 17, 1997


Question #1: RFP is missing sections D, J, & M.

Answer #1: Sections D, J & M were not applicable to this procurement.

Question #2: C.2.1.(d) Usage Data.  
     - Is it a requirement to provide to all agencies with machine readable
     data?  

Answer # 2: C.2.1.(d,) 
     - Yes it is a requirement to provide all agencies with
     machine-readable data. Customers are very interested in receiving
     their usage data. Vendor may provide written justification to request
     a wavier.
                                                           
Question #3: C.2.3.(b) Subscription Pricing
     - Can subscriptions cross fiscal years?
     - Is it a requirement that subscriptions be prepaid?
     - Clarification of Cancellation and Refunds? If customer pays $1,000
     per month or $12,000 per year but cancels after month 8, Does that
     meet the requirement?

Answer #3: C.2.3.(b)
     - Yes a subscription can cross fiscal years.
     - No, May be paid on a monthly basis.
     - Yes, the customer would not be billed for months 9-12.

Question #4: C.2.3.(b) (4) Cancellations and Refunds
     - What does "Open usage value" mean?
     - In the event a member cancels a subscription after using only some
     of the hour, is the member still charged the subscription price and is
     then refunded the difference from the full subscription price?

Answer #4: C.2.3.(b) (4)
     - Open usage value is the transactional pricing CLIN 1010.
     - See example given in text - member would be charged the open
     usage value, ie. transactional pricing for the hours used. That amount
     would be subtracted from the subscription price to determine the
     refund amount.
  
Question #5: C.2.3.(e) Customer- Specific pricing by agency - how would the
process work?  
     - Is it published?  
     - Even if negotiated directly with the contracting officer of the
     agency?  (also applies to C.3.4, Lot 4).

Answer #5: C.2.3.(e)     
     - No the process is not published
     - If the vendor initiates customer-specific pricing the written offer
     goes through the LC/FEDLINK contract officer; If a customer has a
     specific requirement that they would like from a vendor, the
     customer's written requirement goes through the LC/FEDLINK
     contract officer for negotiation with the vendor.

Question #6: C.2.4 Licensing
     - (b) Library Terms.  Does this apply to online?  
     - (4) Redistribution.  Does this apply to online?

Answer #6: C.2.4 Licensing
     - (b) Library Terms. Yes, applies to online.
     - (4) Redistribution. Yes, applies to online.
                                             
Question #7: C.3.3 Lot 3
     - Vendor provides numerous publications that are not offered
     electronically.  Can Lot 3 include all publications or only those
     offered online?

Answer #7: C.3.3 Lot 3
     - Yes Lot 3 includes other associated publications.

Question #8: F.4.1 System Availability
     - What's intended measurement?  
     - Is it assumed that busy signal does not refer to subscription plans?

Answer #8: F.4.1 System Availability
     - (See F.4.1.(b).(1)
     - Busy signals does include subscription plans.

Question #9: L.2.1
     - States that "general statements that you understand, can, or will
     comply..., or paraphrasing of the RFP SOW will not be sufficient." 
     Need clarification.  Seems to go against the goal of reducing the
     wordiness.

Answer #9: L.2.1
     - Vendor does not need to repeat text covered in its standard
     materials. Vendors should refer to their standard materials where
     appropriate, but will need to explain those things not explained
     elsewhere in their materials.                                         
        

Question #10: L.3, L.4, and L.5
     L.3 Volume 1 Costs and Certifications - submit three print copies.
     L.4 Volume 2 Technical - submit four print copies.
     L.5 Volume 3 Management - submit four print copies.
     - Does one set of each volume need to be an original?

Answer #10: L.3, L.4, and L.5 
     - Yes, At least one copy of each volume must be an original.

Question #11: Would the "Database Usage Charge" (CLIN 1002a of RFP94-
14) be placed under the current CLIN 1010?

Answer #11:
     -Yes

Question #12: Could you give us an idea of when you plan to schedule the
oral presentations?

Answer #11:  Oral presentations.
     - We will schedule the oral presentations after the closing date of the
     RFP.