Amendment 1_1131PL21RCP91190A_QA.pdf

Amendment 0001

113PL21RCP91190A

Questions and Answers

1. Reference: Section E.1.6. Proposal Content, Page 33, Paragraph 1 Question: The RFP requests that font type by Times New Roman, size 12. Can offerors use Times New Roman, size 10 for any tables or graphics?

Yes, size 10 for tables and/or graphics is acceptable.

2. Reference: Section D.3.1.2, Page 23, Paragraph 1 Question: The RFP states the Contractor must possess a current facility clearance. We recommend a top-secret security clearance. What level of facility clearance is required? What proof of active clearance is required for the submission?

Secret clearance is acceptable. Form DD254, Cognizant Security Office information will be required at the time of award.

3. Is this a new requirement or is it currently being filled by an incumbent firm?

USTDA has had technical advisory requirements in the past, however, this is a new requirement.

4. What are the agency’s climate mitigation / GHG emissions reduction goals in the short-medium- and long- term, and what is the degree of expected alignment to the infrastructure investments outlined in the RFP?

In accordance with the Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (January 2021) and the National Security Council (NSC) Interim International Energy Engagement Guidance (July 2021), USTDA, along with other USG agencies, is in the process of developing an energy transition plan to phase the use of foreign assistance funding related to carbon-intensive energy activities; to further increase support for low-emissions energy sources and infrastructure development; and advance U.S. global competitiveness in low-emissions technologies. This planning remains in evaluation and deliberative stage with agency-specific timelines and targets not yet finalized.

5. How is the agency currently assessing physical and transition climate change risks applied to infrastructure investments?

All feasibility studies and technical assistance grant activities funded by USTDA undergo a due diligence process prior to funding approval, including a desk study (DS) evaluation carried out by consultants under contract with USTDA. Desk studies include high level technical and economic analyses of project proposals to determine their suitability for

USTDA funding. All desk studies analyses carried out after October 1, 2015 must have a climate resilience screening. These initial screenings evaluate the type of infrastructure, location, and other factors to determine on a high level whether or not an in-depth climate resilience screening must be carried out as a part of the USTDA-funded feasibility study or technical assistance. USTDA is currently re-evaluating our processes as it relates to assessing climate change risks and will have a Senior Climate Advisor who will be responsible for reviewing the current policy and making any necessary changes and/or recommendations, with technical inputs from the Contractor selected for this requirement.

6. What are the key metrics that the agency currently uses to assess climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resiliency of infrastructure?

Desk studies include high level technical and economic analyses of project proposals to determine their suitability for USTDA funding. All desk studies analyses carried out after October 1, 2015 must have a climate resilience screening. These initial screenings evaluate the type of infrastructure, location, and other factors to determine on a high level whether an in-depth climate resilience screening must be carried out as a part of the USTDA-funded feasibility study or technical assistance. As USTDA funding is for project preparation services for large-scale infrastructure, we do not have defined metrics as the projects are typically early-stage and not yet under development or construction.

7. Reference: Section B.1, Page 4, Paragraph 2 “The Technical Expert labor category is a blended rate for all team members supporting the required transportation disciplines identified in SOW Section D.2, “Scope of Work.”

Question: Please explain the Technical Expert category as it is not listed in the following table of rates. Nor are any of the categories considered transportation disciplines.

The Contractor shall provide a Project Manager (PM) with project management expertise to work virtually or on-site on a full-time basis. As the climate and energy sector is broad, encompassing major subsectors such as renewables, transmission and distribution and digital solutions and requires disparate areas of technical expertise for the Agency to effectively evaluate new climate and energy sector projects and monitor ongoing activities. In the event that sub-sector specific issues do arise, in which the PM does not have expertise to support, the PM shall be able to reach back to the Contractor’s team in order to support the Agency’s needs. Therefore, the Technical Expert labor category includes any subject matter experts on the Contractor’s team that the PM will bring in to work on specific disciplines as required.

8. Reference: Section D.1.2, Page 16, Paragraph 1

Question: Will the Contractor provide energy and climate advisory support services and subject matter expertise in support of the Agency’s programmatic efforts under BOTH of its two key programs: the International Business Partnership and Program (IBPP) and the Project Development Program (PDP)?

Under USTDA direction, the Contractor will provide energy and climate advisory support services for all USTDA’s program activities related to the sectors listed in the PWS.

9. Reference: Section D.1.4, Page 17, Paragraph 1 Question: As “the Contractor must be in the position to present fair and unbiased information pursuant to this PWS” so as not to constitute a conflict of interest, was a contractor utilized to create this RFP/PWS and (if so) is that contractor, or any person(s) who may have rendered impartial assistance or advice to the Government, prohibited from bidding as having an unfair competitive advantage?

No contractor was used to create this RFP/PWS.

10. Reference: SF 1449 Block 20/Solicitation Header AND Section E.1.2, Page 32, Paragraph 5 Question: Is the title of the proposal Transportation and Engineering Services or Energy and Climate Advisory Services?

Energy and Climate Advisory Services. Please see the correction.

11. Reference: Section E.1.6, Page 33, Paragraph 3f Question: Can CPARs be submitted in place of PPQs?

CPARS reports, if available, will be reviewed for this requirement.

12. Reference: Section D.3 Page 32, Paragraph D.3.1 and D.3.2 Question: We understand from the RFP that Contractor personnel must possess SECRET or INTERIM SECRET Security Clearance prior to being assigned work on this effort, and that the Contractor must also possess a current facility clearance through the DSS. We further understand from the RFP that USTDA will not serve as a facility clearance sponsor for this contract. In consideration of allowing for fair competition, and not limiting the competitive landscape for otherwise qualified firms, would USTDA re-consider sponsoring contractors for facility clearance?

As stated in the RFP, USTDA will not serve as a facility clearance sponsor for the contract.

13. Reference: Section __B_, Page__4___, Paragraph__4__ Question: Would the government consider allowing the Program Manager/Engineer to serve remotely or on a part-time basis at the USTDA Office in Arlington, VA?.

As outlined in the PWS, the place of performance will primarily be at USTDA’s offices in Arlington, VA. Remote work could be considered on an ad hoc or situational basis and as required by the Office of Personnel Management. However, it is strongly preferred for the Contractor to be working physically out of USTDA’s offices in order to ensure collaboration and integration as appropriate and required with USTDA’s programming needs.

The Program Manager/Engineer will be a full-time position.

14. Reference: Section __B_, Page__4___, Paragraph__5__ Question: Does the government anticipate the majority of the work under this requirement will take place in the continental United States or overseas?

The majority of the work will take place in the continental United States. As noted in the PWS, the place of performance will primarily be at USTDA’s offices in Arlington, Virginia, with occasional or ad hoc travel overseas.

15. Reference: Section __E_, Page__32___, Paragraph__1__ Question: Will the government consider issuing an extension to the due date beyond September 17 at 12pm ET?

The RFP will not be extended beyond the due date of September 17, 2021 at 12 pm EST.

16. Reference: Section __PWS _, Page__28___, Paragraph__1__ Question: Will the contract be required to possess or secure foreign registration to support work any of the countries included on this page? Or beyond those listed here?

It is unclear what is meant by “foreign registration” but the work under this contract may require international travel and visas would likely be needed. The Contractor would be expected to make an effort to secure necessary visas according to professional standards, but USTDA would be able to facilitate as appropriate and as needed.

17. Please identify the incumbent contractor for this work; if there is no incumbent, please identify any recent similar energy and/or climate awards to contractors to support USTDA headquarters in similar fashion.

USTDA currently has a contract for Energy Engineering Services (Technical Advisory Services) contract. The period of performance for this contract began September 16, 2016 and all options have been exercised through to September 15, 2021.

18. Section B.3 states: “The Program Manager/Engineer is required to be on-site at USTDA starting around December 2021. However, this will be at the Agency’s discretion.” Please confirm if you will consider highly qualified PM/Engineer candidates that are not based in the Arlington, VA area, but would still be available full-time and available to travel to the USTDA office if/when necessary?

As outlined in the PWS, the place of performance will primarily be at USTDA’s offices in Arlington, VA. Remote work could be considered on an ad hoc or situational basis and as required by the Office of Personnel Management. It is strongly preferred for the Contractor to be working physically out of USTDA’s offices in order to ensure collaboration and integration as appropriate and required with USTDA’s programming needs.

19. Please clarify the following scope language in section D.2 related to the ICT sub-sector disciplines:

a. Meteorological and air quality monitoring;

b. Emergency response systems;

Specifically, is USTDA looking for the contractor to specify hardware and/or software products in these areas, to conduct field analyses in these areas, or to provide general technical support in these areas?

USTDA is expecting general technical support and potentially support in identifying U.S.

suppliers of these services, including hardware or software products. These are sub-sector disciplines that would likely be needed on an ad hoc basis and the Contractor would be able to bring on subject matter experts depending on agency needs or requests.

20. Section E.1.6 clarifies that the font size shall be 12 for the technical proposal. Can you confirm that you will accept font size 10 for any text boxes, tables, and graphics embedded within the text of the technical proposal?

Please see question 1.

21. Section E.1.6.g states: “Offeror(s) shall complete and submit the Price Proposal in Section B and B1. Offerors may propose up to six (6) labor categories and are encouraged to propose their most discounted rates.” In order to standardize the price proposal review, can you please provide a suggested breakdown of the NTE 960 hours per year across the 5 off-site labor categories? Similarly can you please provide a suggested annual plug figure for the optional ODC/Travel CLIN?

Please provide your breakdown of the NTE 960 hours per year for the labor categories.

Please use this figure $44,000 as an estimate for the optional ODC/Travel CLIN.