Vendor_Questions_and_Government_Responses_-_Amendment_001.docx

Solicitation No. 1131PL-17-R-DS31081 Amendment 001 Questions and Answers

Vendor Questions and Government Responses

1. What will be the process to identify the four projects that will be assessed for funding feasibility? Will USTDA provide a list or will the contractor have to conduct a preliminary study to identify potential opportunities? Can the preliminary study be included in the scope of work for this contract?

USTDA will assign the four projects based on project proposals it has received and decided that it wants reviewed under a desk study. Preliminary studies will not be included in the scope of work for this contract.

1. Is there a preference between clean energy projects and smart grid projects or will the split between the two be a result of a preliminary market study conducted as part of the contract?

There is no preference between clean energy and smart grid projects. The split between clean energy and smart grid projects will be determined based on the project proposals USTDA receives and chooses to put under desk study using this contract. The desk study Contractor is expected to have experience in both areas.

1. What is the schedule for delivery of the four reports? Should they all be delivered at the same time or can they be staged through the total duration of the project?

The delivery of the four reports will most likely be staged through the duration of the project and will depend on when USTDA assigns each project to the desk study Contractor. The RFP Scope of Work identifies the key delivery requirements for drafting the Project Reports. As stated in the RFP, the Contractor shall provide the first draft Project Report to USTDA within 15 business days of receiving approval from USTDA to develop an identified project. The Contractor shall provide to USTDA and to the project sponsor for its review and comment a second draft Project Report, which incorporates USTDA’s comments on the first draft Project Report within one week of receipt of USTDA’s comments. The Contractor shall discuss the comments from the project sponsor and any participating U.S. firms with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and, based on that discussion, prepare and provide to USTDA within one week of receiving comments from the project sponsor a finalized Project Report.

1. Attachment IV of section of the document "RFP_1131PL-17-R-DS31081_SOW" lays out the USTDA Nationality Requirements. However it is unclear whether the contracting firm can hire international consultants. Our company is U.S. based and owned/operated by U.S. nationals. We expect at least 50% of the tasks to be conducted by employees/consultants who are either U.S. nationals or have U.S. work authorization.

In accordance with the USTDA Nationality Requirement (SOW Attachment IV), Contractor and U.S. subcontractor employees used shall be either U.S. citizens or non-U.S. citizens lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States. Thus, the Contractor cannot use non-U.S. citizens or non-permanent resident sub-contractor employees.

The following exception apply, but only for contracts that require international performance: Local lodging, food, and transportation in the host country are not subject to this restriction.

1. We would like to hire two international consultants with deep India expertise based outside US for this engagement. Would that be allowed? If yes, what is the maximum compensation (% of project budget) that these foreign consultants could be paid?

The USTDA Nationality Requirement states that the Contractor and Sub-Contractor employees must be U.S. citizens or non-U.S. citizens lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.

1. Alternatively our company could hire a foreign subcontractor firm based outside US and assign them no more than 49% of the tasks. Is that permitted?

Please see response above.

1. Are individuals permitted to apply (without any ties to a company)? I would like to be the prime contractor but I do not have an LLC or other company set up. In addition, I also have 3-4 other individuals that will support me for select pieces of the SOW (for example, one person for labor, one for environmental, etc). Is that allowed?

In accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), specifically FAR 52.204-7, “System for Award Management,” (SAM) and the instructions for this combined synopsis/solicitation, all Contractors must be registered in the SAM database via https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/ in order to be eligible for contract award. Lack of registration in SAM will make an Offeror ineligible for award as described in FAR 52.204-7. Please also note, as stated in the combined synopsis/solicitation, that this procurement has been set-aside 100% for small businesses under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541690.

1. The SF1449 states that the Period of Performance shall be two (2) years from date of award. However, page 2 of the combined synopsis/solicitation states that it shall be six (6) months from date of award. Please clarify the Period of Performance for this contract.

The combined synopsis/solicitation has been corrected from “six (6) months from date of award” to “two (2) years from date of award.” Please see attached (page 2, change tracked).