NOFO Questions 6 2.docx

Department of State Bureau of African Affairs (AF)

NOFO SFOP0006925

Jun 2, 2020 Mentorship and Training of the Somalia National Army (SNA) and the Africa Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) Troop Contributing Countries (TCC): Q and A

Question 1. On the PSI, it states 5-10 pages for Attachments. Is ten pages a hard limit?

Response: Attachments can be no longer than 10 pages, please follow the PSIs.

Question 2. Point 8 of the PSI says "three mandatory attachments," but lists four (including the Budget Narrative). Would you please clarify?

Response: The PSI should say “four mandatory attachments”

Question 3. In the NOFO, under IV. Application Evaluation, the first item is Personnel Requirements, after which it goes on to list six criteria, which total 100 points. Presumably, this means that the personnel must fulfill the criteria, but are not included as part of the formal evaluation. Can you please clarify this?

Response: The personnel submitted must meet the required minimum standards and personnel standards are not part of the 100 point evaluation. A competitive proposal must meet the personnel minimum standards and have a strong point evaluation.

Question 4. On page 14 of the NOFO, under Leahy Vetting Requirement, it states: "However, as noted below, training or assistance to foreign security forces is not permitted under this award." Can you confirm this sentence is accurate?

Response: The NOFO is amended to delete that sentence, see NOFO AMENDED II June 2

Question 4.a. We do not see what’s “noted below” unless you are referring to the second-to-last paragraph on Page 15, which describes terrorist organizations, traffickers and elected members of government. Please clarify.

Response: The NOFO is amended to delete that sentence.

Question 5. Please provide an outline or list of equipment and resources that the implementer may be responsible for procuring as part of this opportunity.

Response: It is up to the prospective awardee to determine what equipment and resources are needed to perform the tasks in the NOFO. The government will not provide an outline or list of equipment and resources. AF will discuss it later with the winning applicant.

Question 6. Can DOS confirm that anything procured under previous grants will either be transferred to the SNA or to the new implementer? If so, is there an inventory that DOS can share with prospective bidders indicating who officially “owns” what assets?

Response: The U.S. government cannot confirm at this time that anything procured under the previous grant will be transferred to the SNA or the new implementer, nor will the U.S. government share an inventory at this time. AF will discuss it later with the winning applicant.

Question 7. Is there going to be an opportunity in this project to assess and/or validate equipment requirements? And, if so, what is the process for ensuring that these requirements are met?

Response: It will be discussed later with the winning applicant.