Financial Literacy, Retirement and Thrift Savings Plan eLearning Course Content

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the Federal Retirement and Financial Training opportunity.

• Recompete: The opportunity is a recompete, with the incumbent contractor identified as Dmason Financial LLC under contract number 12314426C0036.
• Content Customization: Content can be commercially available (COTS) as long as it meets federal requirements. However, required courses must be provided by the vendor; existing courses from the current contractor cannot be retained.
• Continuous Updates: Course content updates are required only when a regulatory change occurs.
• User Licenses: The 90,000 licenses are for active users concurrently during the period of performance (POP).
• Branding: USDA-specific branding is not a requirement, but branding requirements will be provided for optional content additions.
• Authoring Format: The authoring format is at the contractor's discretion, provided the delivery format meets Section 508 compliance and is in SCORM or AICC format.
• CFP Requirement: The requirement for courses to be created by a Certified Financial Planning Professional can be satisfied by a named subcontractor.
• "Already Developed" Materials: Commercially developed curriculum adapted to meet the PWS learning objectives will satisfy the "already developed" materials requirement.

These clarifications may impact how vendors prepare their proposals, particularly regarding content development, licensing, and subcontractor qualifications. No changes to deadlines or submission rules are indicated.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Request for Quotes (RFQ) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks proposals for Retirement and Financial Literacy Training Content for the AgLearn Learning Management System. This training will be utilized by USDA agencies and potentially other federal agencies. The procurement will result in a single award, firm-fixed price (FFP) contract, awarded through full and open competition, not set aside for small business.

• Development of eLearning course content focused on financial literacy, retirement, and the Thrift Savings Plan.

• Content must be suitable for employees at various stages of their lifecycle and in diverse locations.

• Training will be delivered via the USDA's AgLearn Learning Management System.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price (FFP)

• Period of Performance: Anticipated to be from 07/01/2026 to 06/30/2031 (Base Period + 4 Option Periods).

• Estimated Size: NAICS 611430, Professional and Management Development Training, with a size standard of $15M.

• Submission Deadline: Quotes due by 12:00 PM ET, April 28, 2026. Submit electronically via email to the Contracting Officer.

• Questions Deadline: April 20, 2026, 4:00 PM ET.

• Evaluation Factors: Award will be based on the best value to the government, considering Prior Experience and Price. Technical Acceptability will be rated as "acceptable" or "unacceptable."

• Submission Format: Quotes must be submitted in three volumes: Cover Letter/Capability Statement (no page limit), Prior Experience (9-page limit, up to three contracts within the last 3 years), and Price (no limit).

• This RFQ is set aside for small business.

• Offerors must be registered and active in the SAM database to be eligible for award.

• Amendments will be issued via email; offerors are responsible for checking.

• The government reserves the right to communicate with offerors to address issues before award.

• Attachments include: Performance Work Statement, Requirement List, and USDA Clauses.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To provide eLearning course content and licenses for financial literacy, retirement, and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) for USDA Federal employees. The goal is to enhance employee financial well-being and meet mandatory financial literacy requirements.

• Develop and deliver eLearning course content covering financial planning, retirement, and TSP for early, mid, and late career Federal employees.

• Specific course requirements include civilian courses for FERS and CSRS (including special designations), savings strategies for TSP and TSP Roth, and new employee benefits orientation.

• Content must include learning objectives, resources for personal financial planning, additional resources, and knowledge checks.

• Courses must be continuously updated with current information on Federal benefits, TSP, 401(k) rules, tax laws, and investment rates.

• Provide up to 90,000 licenses for USDA Federal employees.

• Courses must be created by a Certified Financial Planning Professional and be SCORM or AICC conformant and Section 508 compliant.

• Integrate with USDA's Learning Management System (LMS), AgLearn, which uses TotaraGov (a FedRAMP solution).

• Provide introductory webinars and allow AgLearn to purchase additional licenses for external Federal departments/agencies.

• Incorporate diverse learning styles (courses, videos, virtual sessions).

• 100% availability of eLearning content.

• Content must be kept up-to-date with the latest information.

• Users must be able to access content, and completion must be automatically marked in AgLearn.

• Quarterly Program Status Reports are required.

• Performance will be monitored through periodic inspection and customer complaints. Contract Discrepancy Reports (CDRs) may be issued for unmet requirements, potentially leading to payment deductions.

• Work will be performed at the Contractor's location, anticipated to be primarily virtual.

• The period of performance is not explicitly stated but is implied to be ongoing based on the need for updates and quarterly reporting.

• Compliance with Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) and FedRAMP requirements.

• Compliance with USGCB/FDCC and SCAP.

• Strict adherence to Section 508 accessibility standards for all Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

• Data and information developed are Government property and must be returned at contract completion.

• Strict confidentiality and non-disclosure of sensitive information.

• Contractor employees must sign Non-Disclosure Statements.

• No fees for live seminars or hosting; introductory webinars are permitted.

• No Government Furnished Items are anticipated.

• Little to no travel is expected; if required, it will be paid by the Federal Government.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, an Excel spreadsheet named 'Requirement List', details the cost elements and user counts for the Retirement and Financial Literacy Training eLearning Course Catalogs. It outlines the structure for a Firm Fixed Price contract.

• Project Title: Retirement and Financial Literacy Training eLearning Course Catalogs
• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price
• Period of Performance (POP): Base period (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027) with four option periods extending to June 30, 2031.
• Cost Elements: Includes licenses for 'Retirement and Financial Literacy Training USDA-wide Enterprise eLearning Course Catalog' and 'Retirement and Financial Literacy Training External Agency eLearning Course Catalog'.
• User Counts: Specifies estimated user counts for external agency licenses (up to 6,000 for the base year, 3,500 for each option year) and enterprise licenses (enterprise for base, 90,000 for each option year).

This document provides critical information for potential bidders regarding the scope of services, estimated user volumes, and the contract's duration. Bidders should use this data to understand the scale of the requirement and to prepare their pricing proposals, particularly for the Firm Fixed Price contract structure.

Other / Unclassified

This document contains a compilation of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses that are incorporated by reference into a contract. It lists numerous clauses related to contract terms and conditions, including those for commercial items, continuity of services, task-order ombudsman, options to extend services and term, availability of funds, and various prohibitions and requirements.

This document is highly relevant for potential bidders as it outlines the standard and specific contract clauses that will govern the performance of the work. Bidders should review these clauses to understand their obligations, potential risks, and compliance requirements, such as those related to:

• Safeguarding of Information Systems: Clause 52.204-21 details requirements for protecting covered contractor information systems.
• Task-Order Ombudsman: Clause 52.216-32 designates an ombudsman for task-order and delivery-order issues.
• Options to Extend: Clauses 52.217-8 and 52.217-9 address the government's options to extend services and the contract term.
• Availability of Funds: Clauses 52.232-18 and 52.232-19 indicate that funds may not be currently available for the entire contract period.
• Continuity of Services: Clause 52.237-3 outlines requirements for ensuring uninterrupted service delivery and transition to a successor.
• Numerous FAR Clauses: The document incorporates a wide array of FAR clauses (listed in sections 52.212-5, 52.222-41 through 52.222-62, and others) covering topics such as small business subcontracting, labor standards, equal opportunity, privacy, and trade agreements. Bidders must be aware of these to ensure compliance.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Request for Quotes (RFQ) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks proposals for Retirement and Financial Literacy Training Content for the AgLearn Learning Management System. This training will be utilized by USDA agencies and potentially other federal agencies. The procurement will result in a single, firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract awarded through full and open competition, not a small business set-aside. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 611430 (Professional and Management Development Training), with a size standard of $15M.

• Development of eLearning course content focused on financial literacy, retirement, and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) for USDA employees.

• Content must cater to employees at various stages of their careers and address needs from basic financial planning to retirement savings.

• The training will be delivered via the USDA's AgLearn Learning Management System.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price (FFP)

• Period of Performance: Anticipated to be Base Period (07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027) with four Option Periods extending through 06/30/2031.

• Submission Deadline: Quotes are due by 4:00 PM ET, April 23, 2026. Electronic submission via email to the Contracting Officer is required.

• Question Deadline: Questions must be submitted by 4:00 PM ET, April 20, 2026.

• Evaluation Criteria: Award will be based on the best value to the government, considering Prior Experience and Price. Technical Acceptability will be rated as "acceptable" or "unacceptable."

• Submission Format: Quotes must be submitted in three volumes: Cover Letter/Capability Statement (Volume 1), Prior Experience (Volume 2, 9-page limit), and Price (Volume 3, no limit).

• This RFQ is set aside for small businesses.

• Offerors must be registered and active in the SAM database to be eligible for award.

• Amendments to the solicitation will be communicated via email.

• Offerors are responsible for checking for amendments.

• The government reserves the right to communicate directly with the apparent successful contractor to address any remaining issues.

• Attachments include: Performance Work Statement, Requirement List, and USDA Clauses.