1131PL27R0001 - Amendment 0001.pdf

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing items 8 and 15, and returning or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUISITION NUMBER 5. PROJECT NUMBER (If applicable)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6) CODE

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 11/2016)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

FACILITY CODE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended. is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER

NUMBER IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation data, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15C. DATE SIGNED

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

16C. DATE SIGNED

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

PAGE OF PAGES

6. ISSUED BY CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (X)

CODE

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

Previous edition unusable

1131PL

The purpose of this amendment is to provide pre-proposal conference slides and responses to solicitation questions.

1131PL

United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) 1101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1100 Arlington, Virginia 22209 USA

United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) 1101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1100 Arlington, Virginia 22209 USA

1131PL27R0001

1 8

10/16/2026

10/05/2026

Solicitation No. 1131PL27R0001 Amendment 0001

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1. Question: Will individual task orders be issued by the same USTDA office or different ones?

Answer: While the events may span regional offices, all individual task orders will be issued by USTDA’s Office of Acquisition Management.

2. Question: The max threshold per IDIQ awardee is $5M per year which equals $75M per year. I’m not sure how this math is working if the ceiling on the IDIQ is $100M.

Answer: The listed annual threshold does not mean each IDIQ pool members will be awarded $5M in task orders annually. What it means is that no single contractor in the IDIQ Pool will be awarded more than $5M in task orders annually.

3. Question: Is the membership organization statement (i.e., membership information and openness to non-members) required in the IDIQ proposal, or only in task order proposals?

Answer: The membership organization statement is only required at the ordering or task order request stage as outlined in Section D.1.10 of the solicitation.

4. Question: Will the IDIQ be funded, or will funding come only through task orders?

Answer: Funding will be provided at the task order level.

5. Question: Will the IDIQ contractors be required to compete for each task order, or will a minimum threshold be established?

Answer: As noted in Section B.1 of the RFP, the established IDIQ minimum is for each awardee to receive one (1) task order. The issuance of all other task orders will comply with FAR 16.505, which required that the contracting officer give every awardee a fair opportunity to be considered for task orders exceeding the micro-purchase.

6. Question: To confirm, we're applying to be a vendor that is able to bid on task orders. Or are we doing that as well as submitting proposals for task order opportunities?

Answer: The purpose of this solicitation is to identify and assemble a qualified pool of contractors to perform future task order opportunity.

7. Question: Can we use a teaming partner’s events and past performance in our proposal?

Answer: As noted in Section E.3.3, if your firm served as a major sub-contractor as defined, relevant past performance will be evaluated.

8. Question: Are the past performance references required to be contracts? Or can an applicant submit past performance references for other award mechanisms such as cooperative agreements?

Answer: Past performance record must be relevant as defined in Section E.2.8 of the RFP (page 53 of 63).

9. Question: Does the prime contractor need to have experience across all the event formats?

Answer: It is our expectation that prospective offerors demonstrate their experience and capabilities performing the requirements of the performance work statement.

10. Question: Are the past performance references limited to three pages per narrative or three pages for all past performance citations?

Answer: Three pages for all relevant past performance narrative as noted in Section E.2.7 of the RFP.

11. Question: Will the evaluation of past performance for the prime contractor and subcontractors be proportional to the anticipated workshare and/or scope for each teaming partner?

Answer: Available relevant past performance record for teaming partners will be assessed as noted in Section E.3.3 of the RFP.

12. Question: If a previous USTDA task order award involved multiple events, is that considered one past performance reference or can each event be considered as a single past performance citation?

Answer: No, references for past performance must encompass the entire task order.

Offerors should not use multiple events within one task order to constitute multiple References.

13. Question: Does a multiple-event task order have to be completed in order to be included in the references for past performance?

Answer: No. However, the past performance survey submitted by the POC must adequately address the contractor’s performance to this point.

14. Question: Please clarify how NAICS 561920 for Convention and Trade Show Organizers applies to RTMs and specifically technical capabilities.

Answer: In accordance with naicscodes.org, NAICS 561920 comprises establishments primarily engaged in organizing, promoting, and/or managing events including business and trade shows, conventions, conferences, and meetings.

This NAICS is appropriate for performance required under this RFP and the resulting contract(s).

15. Question: In addition to the nine labor categories, the IDIQ identifies a set of minimum skill categories and indicates that these categories must be addressed across the proposed team. Can you clarify whether that means that the staff proposed at this IDIQ proposal stage must collectively demonstrate all minimum skill categories in addition to satisfying the minimum requirements for those positions?

Answer: Yes. Offerors must demonstrate how their proposed team and staffing approach will collectively meet the minimum skill categories outlined in Section D.1.4, in addition to the qualifications for applicable labor categories. Where specific personnel or expertise such as sector experts, etc., have not yet been identified, Offerors may describe their recruitment and staffing strategy, as outlined in Sub-Factor 3 (page 52).

16. Question: Should the resumes/CVs include the names of the actual individuals, or should the company name be listed instead?

Answer: Names and CVs for the proposed staff must be included for the nine positions listed in the RFP.

17. Question: Are primes required to be sector experts or can they be sector agnostic?

Answer: This solicitation is to acquire relevant expertise to organize, promote, and manage events as listed in the RFP. Specific sector expertise may be acquired at the task order level as needed.

18. Question: Is there a limit to the number of resumes/CVs that may be submitted with the proposal?

Answer: CV must be submitted for proposed staff.

19. Question: Are there requirements for limit overseas outsourced activities, like the USTDA TAs?

Answer: See Section D.1.25 of the RFP for applicable nationality requirement.

20. Question: Are we submitting the resumes/CVs of the nine personnel that will work on future task orders for this IDIQ or are we submitting only the pricing for those nine labor categories?

Answer: Offerors must identify individuals being proposed at the base IDIQ level to fill the nine positions listed. It is our expectation that these individuals will be primarily responsible for organizing, promoting, executing, and/or managing required events on future task orders under this resulting IDIQ contract(s).

21. Question: Will USTDA consider innovative supplier matchmaking, event management, and AI-powered engagement platforms as added value in the technical evaluation?

Answer: Yes. USTDA will consider innovative platforms as added value, provided they demonstrate clear benefits in supporting USTDA's objectives and improving event outcomes.

22. Question: Does the labor need to be onsite or remote?

Answer: Typically, labor for planning is remote until the days leading up to actual event execution, where contractor personnel are required travel with delegations for the duration of the events, and be on site for execution and management conferences. workshops, etc.

23. Question: Is there a list of the mandatory amendments or provisions to include?

Answer: Amendments issued must be acknowledged and included. Provisions contained in Section E that are not filled out electronically must be filled out and included in your proposal.

24. Question: Are there any preferred geographic locations for task orders where resources are required onsite?

Answer: No.

25. Question: In the task order, will the hours of work for each labor category required be mentioned?

Answer: IDIQ pool member will be required to provide price proposal/quote based on the requirement for each task order request. The rates proposed for the nines positions listed in this solicitation will be rates used to develop proposals/quotes at the task order level.

26. Question: Would recruitment need to be done for every task order, or can we use the same resources for all task orders?

Answer: It is USTDA’s expectation that the nine individuals proposed at the base IDIQ level will be the same resources used for execution of task orders. However, based on sector expertise, interpretation skills, etc., needed, IDIQ pool members may be required to identify and hire additional skillsets needed to successfully perform the task order.

27. Question: Will a small nonprofit be considered "other than small" for the partial set-aside and therefore required to submit a small business subcontracting plan? Does a U.S.-incorporated nonprofit qualify as a “U.S. firm” under D.1.25?

Answer: The nonprofit status as a U.S. firm will be based on the relevant SAM.gov records.

28. Question: Are there any women-owned small business (WOSB) set asides?

Answer: No. This RFP is not a WOSB set-aside.

29. Question: Are there any SBA 8(a) set asides for certified SBA 8(a) companies?

Answer: No. This RFP is not an 8(a) set-aside.

30. Question: Will the pre-proposal conference slide deck be shared?

Answer: Yes, see attachment to this amendment.

31. Question: Will the list of pre-proposal conference attendees be shared (subject to their consent)?

Answer: No.

32. Question: Reference -- Section B.5.1, Pages 5–6, opening paragraph and labor rate table;

Section E.2.8, Page 55, Volume II, paragraph beginning “In addition include signed amendments.” Section B.5.1 requires fixed hourly rates, while Section E.2.8 instructs offerors to enter fixed hourly rates in the solicitation table and submit fixed daily rates in an Excel spreadsheet. Previous USTDA IQCs used daily labor rates. Please clarify whether offerors must submit hourly rates, daily rates, or both, and whether USTDA is changing the basis for price evaluation or subsequent task-order pricing. If both are required, what number of hours should constitute a billable day for conversion purposes?

Answer: Please provide both as requested in Section E.2.8. Historically, Fixed- Daily Rates are based on an eight-hour day.

33. Question: Reference --Section E.2.8, Page 54, Factor 2—Relevant Past Performance, paragraph beginning “In leu of the Past Performance Survey” and paragraph beginning “The point of contact for each past performance survey.” For a prior USTDA contract where the former project manager has departed and no final CPARS evaluation is available—including a contract for which the CPARS process was initiated but not completed—who should complete the past-performance survey? May a successor project manager, contracting officer, or other USTDA official familiar with the contract or its performance records complete it? Please identify the appropriate process for arranging these references.

Answer: If the COR is not available, the COR’s supervisor or any USTDA staff who is familiar with your performance on the contract may serve as POC for the past performance survey.

34. Question: Reference -- Section B.5.1, Pages 5–6, labor rate table covering nine labor categories and five contract periods; Section E.3.4, Page 58, opening paragraph, Completeness and Reasonableness bullets, and paragraph beginning “The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable.” Please clarify how USTDA will calculate the evaluated price used in the best-value tradeoff from the nine labor categories and five contract periods. Will USTDA apply estimated labor quantities or a representative staffing mix, equally weight the categories and periods, or use another methodology?

Please provide any quantities, weights, or assumptions applicable to that calculation.

Answer: One or more of the price proposal techniques set forth in FAR 15.404- 1(b)(2) will be used to determine if the rates proposed for each of the nine positions are determined fair and reasonable. For purpose of the trade-off, the following hypothetical labor mix will be used:

Project Manager 280 Hours Technical/Report Writer 100 Hours Conference/Event Coordinator 200 Hours Protocol Specialist 100 Hours Logistics Coordinator 300 Hours Technical/AV Support 100 Hours Press/Communication Lead 100 Hours Agenda Development & Speaker Coord. 100 Hours Website, Content, & Marketing Manager 120 Hours

Each Offeror may multiply their proposed labor rates against this exact matrix to create a Total Evaluated Price (TEP) for purpose of the trade-off.

35. Question: Reference -- Section E.2.8, Page 49-50, Paragraph Sub-Factor 1 May an offeror's representative examples and past performance references include work performed by a proposed teaming partner or major subcontractor, or by key personnel while employed at another firm, and if so, how will such experience be weighted relative to the prime offeror's own experience?

Answer: See Section E.3.3. Relevant past performance record submitted for firms and individuals other than the prime offeror will not be considered as favorable as past performance records for the prime offeror.

36. Question: Reference -- Section E.2.8, Page 50, Paragraph Sub-Factor 1 (i)-(ii) Must every capability in items (i)-(ix) be demonstrated by the offeror's own examples, or may a small business satisfy specific items (e.g., the 100-1,000 attendee range, the overseas event, or ministerial-level delegations) through a teaming partner, with the remaining items demonstrated by the prime?

Answer: Yes. Offerors may use a combination of prime contractor and proposed teaming partner experience to collectively demonstrate the capabilities in items (i)- (ix). Proposals should clearly identify each entity's experience, specific responsibilities, and proposed role.

37. Question: Reference -- Section E.2.8 / E.3, Page 53-54, Paragraph Factor 2 Will small businesses competing for the minimum five (5) small-business awards be evaluated only against other small businesses, and will a "Neutral" past performance rating be treated as acceptable for award consideration?

Answer: All Offerors will be evaluated equally against the criteria outlined in the RFP. The 15 responsive/most highly rated Offerors will be included in the IDIQ Pool. If the 15 responsive/most highly rated Offerors does not include 5 or more small businesses, then the 5 responsive/most highly rated small business Offeror from all proposals received will be included in the pool. In accordance with the RFP Offeror with no relevant past performance record shall be rated as "Neutral" -which is neither favorable nor unfavorable.

38. Question: Reference -- Section D.1.4, Page 25-27, Paragraph Minimum Qualifications per Contractor Role. Must named personnel meeting the minimum qualifications for all nine labor categories be proposed at the IDIQ level, or may offerors identify qualified personnel (including subcontractor/consultant staff) at the task order level?

Answer: Each proposed staff must meet the minimum qualification for the position/labor category being proposed for.

39. Question: Reference -- Section B.1 / B.3, Page 3-4, Paragraph ODCs Are agency or booking fees charged by third-party travel providers, and time spent by the contractor's travel staff on reservations, to be billed as labor under the Logistics Coordinator category, or treated as ODCs?

Answer: Contractor staff time spent arranging travel should be included under the applicable labor category, such as Logistics Coordinator. Third-party agency or booking fees are not reimbursable ODCs, as outlined in Section D.1.12 (page 37), and may not be billed as labor.

40. Question: Reference -- Section E.2.7, Page 48, Paragraph Page Limitations Does the optional Experience Coverage Matrix count against the twenty (20) page Technical Proposal limit?

Answer: Yes. The optional Experience Coverage Matrix counts toward the 20-page Technical Proposal limit, as outlined in Section E.2.7.