Parallax distributes and manages the subcontract awards, however, Parallax does not influence the decisions of the OFRN selection committee. An NDA with Parallax is not necessary. See page 16 of the OFRN Round 7 Opportunity Announcement.
Per Section 2.7 (Public Information): Primary Applicants are reminded that all information submitted in response to this Opportunity Announcement is considered public information unless a statutory exception exists that exempts it from public release (See Ohio Public Records Act, O.R.C.§149.43; see Uniform Trade Secrets Act at O.R.C. §§133.61-1333.69).
Exempted information (i.e., trade secrets, etc.) shall bear the marking "Proprietary Information". To the extent possible, proposals shall contain this marking in the header and footer of each page where proprietary information is included.
Applicants are strongly discouraged from including any trade secrets or otherwise exempted information in their proposal(s). If it is included, the proposal must contain an attachment listing all instances of exempted information. Further, all trade secret or otherwise exempted information shall bear the marking "Trade Secret," or “Ohio Public Records Act Exempted Information” with a description of the exemption.
We will not require the ACH request form in the proposal submission, but if your project is awarded we will need it during the contracting process.
Question: OFRN R7 Solicitation: In the business/cost volume, it refers to an Accounting System Survey for those that do not have an approved accounting system. We are not sure what survey this is referring to exactly. We have a standard accounting adequacy cert on file from DCMA/DCAA. Does this suffice?
Response: A standard accounting adequacy cert of file from DCMA/DCAA will suffice.
Question: OFRN R7 Solicitation: Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC): All direct salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and up to the first $25,000 of each subcontract (regardless of the period of performance of the subcontract under the award). MTDC excludes equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs and the portion of each subcontract in excess of $25,000. Other items may only be excluded when necessary to avoid a serious inequity in the distribution of indirect costs, and with the approval of the cognizant agency for indirect costs.
Does this mean that our university partner cannot charge above $25,000 for this area? If so, is that by year?
Response:
MTDC is that the indirects are applied to the first $25,000 in expenses of each subcontract for the referenced items. The university partner can only charge indirects on the first $25,000 of expenses.
If you are paying for interns outside of OFRN funds, then yes, this could be counted as cost share.
Someone working from their home in Ohio wouldn’t automatically qualify a home office as an Ohio office, unless the company recognizes that home as an office location.
Appendix 3A gives a recommended format for the SOW in Section B.
2.0 – Scope: This section should provide a concise description of the work to be accomplished, including the technology area to be investigated, goals, and major milestones. However, the key elements of this section are task development and deliverables, i.e., the anticipated end result and/or product of the effort. This section must also be consistent with the information in 4.0 (below).
The Scope contains tasks and the deliverables for the task. Deliverables can vary depending on the task. Deliverables could be monthly status reports, software code, other required reports dependent on the SCOPE of the project.
If your proposed research is not subject to export control regulations, it is sufficient to mention that to fulfill the requirement of a compliance plan for ITAR/EAR export control. Keep in mind that that Primary Applicants are responsible for export control compliance, including identifying the export control classification(s) of any projects and only utilizing employees that are U.S. persons or eligible to obtain the necessary export license to participate in the project.
A.14 Security – yes, this counts towards the 8 page limit. A paragraph or 2 would be appropriate for a response.
A.15 Data Rights Assertion – provide a statement as to whether or not there are data rights assertions and that if there are data rights assertions then the details will be provided in the Business and Cost Proposal utilizing Attachment 3. Note: Data Rights Assertion is also contained in Appendix 4 – Business and Cost Proposal Template which prompts proposers to complete and sign Attachment 3.
Question: OFRN R7 Solicitation: We have an industrial partner who is an Ohio based small business who is requesting we work with them via a PO instead of a subcontract. If we can issue them a large PO, likely a minimum of $50k will they still be considered a team member? We are concerned that if they are not issued a subcontract that our proposal will be disqualified.
Response: The Prime Applicant will be responsible for lower tier subs and other vendors needed for the effort. A PO with proper flowdowns should be an adequate contract.