Attachment II A00001 for 1131PL25RDS11055 Questions.pdf

Solicitation Number: 1131PL25RDS11055 Project Title: Energy Sector and Critical Minerals Opportunities DS Series

1. We are performing independent research on the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (1131PL25RDS11055). We would like to know if this is a brand-new contract OR if there is (was) an incumbent performing these services. If not brand new, could you please provide the current / previous contract number?

This is a brand-new contract.

2. In section D.1.9 Confidentiality. This section mentions the certification of the Public Market Report, containing no business confidential information. The Public Market Report is not mentioned as a deliverable elsewhere, and it is not listed as a deliverable on Form 1449. Is a Public Market report required?

No. A Public Market report is not required. See amendment to Section D.1.9 Confidentiality page 25 of 27.

3. Section E.5 Past Performance Information. Requires no more than five most recent government/commercial contracts, but requests three Past Performance Questionnaires. Is this correct, or are five Past Performance Questionnaires required?

The offeror may submit a maximum of three past performance questionnaires.

4. On page 1 of the solicitation, it says that the government may elect to award up to three offers, but on page 57, Section E.7.3 Best Value Award Determination, it says " only one award will result from this RFP." Also on page 18, it mentions up to three awards. Please clarify.

See amendment to Section D.1.2. Scope of Work and Section E.7.3 Best Value Award Determination. For clarification, the government may award up to two (2) contractors for the requirement.

5. Section D.1.2 of the Scope of Work mentions travel. However, there is no allowance for travel reimbursement on Form 1449, nor is there a definition of the duration, number of trips, or location of travel. Please clarify.

See Form 1449. Travel is optional and will be considered a reimbursable expense. At the direction of USTDA, the selected Contractor(s) may travel domestically or to Africa for in-person meetings to assess project proposals. The trips would typically be one week in length but would be determined by USTDA and the Contractor. The Contractor shall not proceed with any travel associated with the contract without the direction and written authorization of USTDA.

6. On Form 1449 Page 2 Item 0003 Concept Note Consultation. There is no description of that requirement in the deliverables section. Is this required, and how should it be priced? As a reimbursable hourly rate, a not-to-exceed price, or a fixed number of hours per deliverable?

The concept note consultations are described in the Scope of Work Section as:

the Contractor shall: (1) Review the concept note and available project documents as provided by USTDA; (2) Respond to questions posed by the Regional Team regarding the viability of the proposed technical solution or market opportunity via email or virtual call.

This should be proposed as a fixed price per deliverable.

7. How many FTEs are expected on the contract?

The Offeror shall propose a team comprised of an adequate number of full-time employees to effectively manage the workload and fulfill all contract requirements.

8. How do you plan to divide the work, if more than one contractor is selected for an award?

The COR will assign work to each Contractor based on bandwidth and technical areas of expertise.

9. Is this RFP related to Solicitation #1131PL25RDM11136 - Global Critical Minerals Definitional Mission?

No, these are separate contracts.

10. Is regional expertise within Sub-Saharan Africa a factor in evaluating the proposal?

Yes. See E.6. Evaluation Factors for Award, Sub-factor 2: Relevant Regional Experience. The Offeror’s relevant technical knowledge of infrastructure sectors in the Sub-Saharan Africa region as it relates to the PWS shall be evaluated.

11. How do we quote for travel if we don’t know if or how many times or where exactly we’re required to travel or what human resource expertise is needed or the duration of the assignment or whatever unforeseeable travel expense that could arise during the life of the contract? With all of the mentioned unknowns, would it be better if the government set a fixed travel budget?

Travel is optional and shall be treated as a reimbursable expense. During the period of performance, the Contractor shall not undertake any travel related to this contract without prior written direction and authorization from USTDA.

12. Over the life of the contract, how many times (estimate) will travel be required within Sub-Saharan Africa? Which locations in Sub Saharan Africa does the USTDA have projects?

It is estimated that 1-2 trips may be required during the period of performance. USTDA has projects across Sub-Saharan Africa, and the locations of travel will be determined by the COR.

13. What is USTDA’s % estimate of the split between Energy sector and Critical Minerals projects?

For purposes of this contract, it is estimated that approximately 75 percent of the assessments will pertain to the energy sector and 25 percent to the critical minerals sector. These estimates are subject to change, as all project assignments shall be made at the direction of the COR based on USTDA’s project pipeline and priorities.

14. The solicitation states ”USTDA intends to contract with multiple U.S. companies (“Contractor”) to provide a total of up to ten (10) “Preliminary Evaluations” of proposals for energy sector feasibility studies, technical assistance activities, or pilot projects in Africa; up to twelve (12) “Project Reports” with fully developed funding recommendations for activities for USTDA funding consideration; and up to twelve (12) concept note consultations.”

Does this mean that each of the 3 companies selected will each study and prepare reports for 4 proposals or pilot projects or each company will study 12 pilot projects? Also, will the selected companies be expected to travel to one country or multiple countries?

For clarification, the government may award up to two (2) contractors for the requirement (see amendment to Section D.1.2. Scope of Work and Section E.7.3 Best Value Award Determination.) Each selected Contractor would be tasked with completing up to five (5) preliminary evaluations; six (6) project reports; and six (6) concept note consultations.

At the direction of USTDA, the selected Contractor(s) may travel domestically or to one or more countries in Africa for in-person meetings to assess project proposals. The locations of travel will be determined by the COR.

15. Is this solicitation intended for individuals or businesses to perform assessments on existing projects? If so, are we expected to identify those projects and complete the assessments?

The Contractor(s) will be asked to assess prospective infrastructure projects. These projects are anticipated to be in varying stages of development. The Contractor is not expected to identify the projects themselves. They will be required to complete the assessments as assigned by the COR.

16. Is the solicitation geared toward American companies or individuals seeking to develop critical projects with a focus on copper?

The contract would support USTDA’s evaluation of funding requests and program design across a range of energy and critical minerals infrastructure project types and subsectors, which may include copper projects.

17. Is the solicitation intended for American companies or individuals to conduct assessments on the exportation of American goods and services in the areas of energy and critical minerals to places like Zambia?

The contract would support USTDA’s evaluation of funding requests and program design across a range of energy and critical minerals infrastructure project types and subsectors, which may include projects in Zambia. Each project report developed by the Contractor would include an assessment of the potential for sales of U.S. goods and services.

18. The solicitation documents mention in several places (Cover Page and PWS section D.1.2) the possibility of award to up to three companies for performance of the services.

However, the last page of the PWS (p. 57) indicates that only one award will be made for the services. Please confirm USTDA’s intention to make multiple awards or just one for this work.

See amendment to Section D.1.2. Scope of Work and Section E.7.3 Best Value Award Determination. For clarification, the government may award up to two (2) contractors for the requirement.

19. Should bidder’s use the SF 1449 issued with the RFP for submission with the financial proposal? We note that in its current form, single entries are shown for each kind of deliverable rather than the “initial” and “government’s acceptance” versions that are typically required.

See update to SF 1449. There are now separate entries for initial submission of reports and government acceptance of reports.

20. Are there any restrictions on teaming/subcontracting with other companies?

See Attachment III-1 USTDA Nationality Requirements. U.S. subcontractor employees shall be either U.S. citizens or non-U.S. citizens lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States. Contractor use of subcontractors is limited to less than fifty percent of the proposed price.

21. Our team is globally situated, can TDA please clarify whether it is acceptable for a US-owned multi-national firm with offices overseas to include non-USC/LPR employees in its proposed staffing to enable us to draw on the expertise of our staff in other countries?

Page 40, Attachment III

This contractor is limited to U.S. firms or U.S. individuals. 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.

22. Is the past performance for commercial limited to US contracts?

Offerors may submit past performance for contracts completed outside of the U.S. Past performance will be considered relevant if the contract demonstrates relevant experiences that are similar in size, scope, and complexity to the effort described in the solicitation.

23. The scope states that travel may be required "domestically or to Africa for in-person meetings to assess project proposals." Can you clarify the potential number of trips or length of trips. For example. should we estimate two-weeks of travel per potential project PDF Page 17, Doc Page18. Section D.1.2

Travel is optional and will be considered a reimbursable expense. It is estimated that 1-2 trips may be required during the period of performance. The trips would typically be one week in length but would be determined by USTDA and the Contractor. The Contractor shall not proceed with any travel associated with the contract without the direction and written authorization of

USTDA.

24. Are there expected page limits for each of the preliminary evaluations, project reports, and concept notes? PDF Page 17-18, Doc Page, Section D.1.7

There is not a page requirement. The Contractor will be expected to sufficiently address all elements as outlined in Section D.1.7 for each corresponding deliverable.

25. Can you clearly summarize the submission timelines for each of the preliminary evaluations, project reports, and concept notes from COR direction to work on a task? Can you state whether the timelines are in calendar or business days? PDF Page 17-18, Doc Page, Section D.1.7

The Contractor shall provide the first draft of each Project Report to USTDA within three (3) weeks or fifteen (15) business days of receiving direction from USTDA to complete the report.

The PWS does not include distinct timelines for preliminary evaluations or concept note consultations, but the COR will monitor all activities closely to ensure the required assessments are provided in an appropriate timeframe.

21. Can you provide more delivery details on the deliverable for the concept note consultations? PDF Page 18, Doc Page 19, Section D.1.

Concept note consultations will be conducted via email or virtual call. See Section D.1.2. Scope of Work.

22. Past performance information is not to exceed five (5) and the past performance questionnaire section is not to exceed three (3). Can you clarify whether these should match and be five (5) or three (3)? PDF Page 54, Document Page 52, Section E.5.e

Providing the report is relevant to size and scope of current project, offeror may not exceed five

(5) examples. The offeror will limit questionnaires for up to three (3) past performance questionnaires.

23. Past performance information is at any point over the last five (5) years and the past performance questionnaire section is last three (3) years. In section E.6 Factor 2, it also states five (5) years. Can you clarify whether these should match and be five (5) or three (3) years? PDF Page 54 and 56, Document 52 and 54, Section E.5.e and E.6

The offeror may submit past performance information for up to five (5) recent contracts that are relevant in size and scope of current project and may submit a maximum of three (3) past performance questionnaires.

24. Scope of work says the contract may be awarded to up to three companies, however in section E.7.3, it states "only one award." Can you clarify which statement is correct? PDF page 17 and 59, Document Page 18 and 57, Section D.1.2 and E.73

See amendment to Section D.1.2. Scope of Work and Section E.7.3 Best Value Award Determination. For clarification, the government may award up to two (2) contractors for the requirement.

25. Since travel is required to support this effort, can an ODC Reimbursable CLIN for travel be added to the SF1449 or should travel be included in the FFP price CLINS?

Section DD 1449

See Form 1449. Travel is optional and will be considered a reimbursable expense.

26. Are there any travel regulations that are required to be followed?

Yes. Federal travel regulation

27. Attachment II - Section E/ Volume II Price Proposal Paragraph (a) states: “RFP respondents shall submit their price proposal using Standard Form (SF) 1449- Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items.” The Standard Form (SF) 1449 indicates contract line items 001 – 004 pricing with payment schedule (fixed price) per solicitation referenced reports. (Attached for reference)

Paragraph (c ) states: “RFP Respondent shall complete and submit the Price Proposal spreadsheet workbook enclosed in this solicitation. RFP respondents shall submit a price proposal with breakdown in a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet or the attached Price Proposal Spreadsheet complete with traceable formulas. The price proposal excel spreadsheet must be accompanied with narratives (to support the price proposal) in a word document.”

QUESTION: Will USDTA kindly clarify the referenced Price Proposal Spreadsheet as indicted in Paragraph (c ) is indeed the Attach III DS Price Sheet provided in the proposal solicitation issued in SAM.gov. (Attached for reference)

Yes. The Price Proposal Spreadsheet is named “Attach III DS Price Sheet.pdf” on SAM.gov.

28. Attach III DS Price Sheet provided with the request for proposal solicitation as listed in SAM.gov indicates pricing requirements for firm fixed price fully burdened labor rates per person/position for direct labor only. Attach III DS Price Sheet does not appear to correlate to the pricing CLINS indicated on Attach I - Standard Form (SF) 1449 payment schedule (fixed price) for line-item pricing per report type.

QUESTION: Will the USDTA kindly clarify the pricing requirements? Does USDTA require pricing as per SF 1449 CLINS per the payment schedule per report OR firm fixed price direct labor as per the Attach III DS Price Sheet?

Price proposal will include labor rates with SF 1449 consisting of summary.

29. Should the Contractor demonstrate proficiency with any foreign languages, such as French?

This is not a requirement.

30. Could USTDA provide additional detail on how the assignment of work is envisioned to be distributed among the three contract holders?

For clarification, the government may award up to two (2) contractors for the requirement (see amendment to Section D.1.2. Scope of Work and Section E.7.3 Best Value Award Determination.) Each selected Contractor would be tasked with completing up to five (5) preliminary evaluations; six (6) project reports; and six (6) concept note consultations.

31. Under the section D.1.2 Scope of Work the solicitation states ““At the direction of USTDA, the Contractor may travel domestically or to Africa for in-person meetings to assess project proposals.” Please clarify if this task is part of one of the firm-fixed price CLINs or an additional task that the contractor will be asked to complete. If it is an additional task, would USTDA be open to adding another CLIN for this task?

See Form 1449. Travel is optional and will be considered a reimbursable expense.

33. Would USTDA please share the expected number of days, destinations, and people traveling so that offerors can give reasonable travel cost estimates.

At the direction of USTDA, the selected Contractor(s) may travel to one or more cities domestically or in Africa for in-person meetings to assess project proposals. The trips would typically be one week in length but would be determined by USTDA and the Contractor. It is typical that one individual from the Contractor would travel.

34. Have any priority countries been identified for this Desk Study Series, especially with regards to the potential travel mentioned in Section D.1.2?

USTDA has projects across Sub-Saharan Africa, and the locations of travel will be determined by the COR.

35. Can USTDA provide more guidance or clarification about the expectations for Concept Note Consultations, such as the expected page count, structure/format to use, or level of effort, especially as it compares to the page count or level of effort for Preliminary Evaluations and Project Reports?

The concept note consultations are described in the Scope of Work Section as:

the Contractor shall: (1) Review the concept note and available project documents as provided by USTDA; (2) Respond to questions posed by the Regional Team regarding the viability of the proposed technical solution or market opportunity via email or virtual call.

There is no page minimum or maximum or required format. It is expected that the level of effort will be lower for the concept note consultations in comparison to the preliminary evaluations and project reports.

36. Will USTDA provide the Contractor with written authorization for each Concept Note Consultation (as Section D.1.2 indicates they must be provided before the Contractor proceeds with Preliminary Evaluations and Project Reports)?

Yes, the COR will request each Concept Note Consultation and provide written authorization.

37. To what extent does USTDA expect the Contractor to be identifying project opportunities, as opposed to evaluating opportunities selected by USTDA (as noted in Section D.1.3, which potentially conflicts with Section D.1.7.1)? Can USTDA provide more information about their expectations on this point?

The Contractor is not expected to identify the projects themselves. They will be required to complete the assessments as assigned by the COR.

38. Are there any deliverables associated with Concept Note Consultations? None appear to be specifically described or listed in Section D.1.7. Can USTDA confirm if there are any planned project assessments in the pipeline that are anticipated to be covered under this requirement?

The concept note consultations will be conducted via email or virtual call. There are not currently any proposals in the pipeline that would be covered under this requirement.

39. Will Concept Note Consultations and Preliminary Evaluations be included in the Final Report. (Section D.1.7.3)?

Preliminary Evaluations will be included in the Final Report. The Contractor should provide a record or list of all concept note consultations conducted throughout the period of performance but will not be required to include the contents of the consultation in the final report.

40. The USTDA requires that the Past Performance Questionnaire be completed by the point of contact (POC) providing the reference to Solicitation No. 1131PL25RDS11055. In the event that the identified POC is no longer available or no longer with the awarding agency, would it be acceptable for the Offeror to submit Contractor Performance Assessment Reports (CPARs) for those projects instead?

No

41. Can USTDA confirm whether the Past Performance Information requested under E.5.

Instructions for Submission of Offer/Proposals is included in the 10-page, page count?

No, past performance information is not included in the 10-page limit. Section E.5 clearly states which elements/documents of the submission are not included in the page count.

42. The solicitation documents mention in several places (Cover Page and PWS section D.1.2) the possibility of award to up to three companies for performance of the services.

However, the last page of the PWS (p. 57) indicates that only one award will be made for the services. Please confirm USTDA’s intention to make multiple awards or just one for this work.

See amendment to Section D.1.2. Scope of Work and Section E.7.3 Best Value Award Determination. For clarification, the government may award up to two (2) contractors for the requirement.

43. Should bidder’s use the SF 1449 issued with the RFP for submission with the financial proposal? We note that in its current form, single entries are shown for each kind of deliverable rather than the “initial” and “government’s acceptance” versions that are typically required.

See updated SF 1449. There are now separate entries for initial submission of reports and government acceptance of reports.