7200AA21RFI00TBD Amendment 01 Q-A.pdf

Issuance Date: Thursday, March 4, 2021

Subject: Amendment No. 1 to 7200AA21RFI00TBD

The purpose of this amendment is to:

1) provide answers to the questions received by the submission deadline of Wednesday, February 10, 2021; and

2) provide supplemental documents as a result of the Pre-Bidders Conference held on Tuesday, February 23, 2021.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to read all questions and answers provided via this amendment and review the supplemental documents in its entirety.

Sincerely, /s/

Rachel Baltes Contracting Officer

Questions and Answers

Q1: Will USAID/Washington actively promote awareness among USAID country missions about the WADI II Activity so that the missions can leverage it to support their specific country programs (CDCS) and objectives through the sponsoring of IDIQ RFTOPs?

USAID Response Q1: USAID uses Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts to help achieve its Mission. With an IDIQ, task orders are issued and competed amongst the holders of the IDIQ. USAID will share information both internally and externally via established agency channels and post-award to highlight the launch of WADI II and ensure missions are aware so that they can access technical services.

Q2: How many prime awards does USAID plan to make for free and open and for small business set aside?

USAID Response Q2: USAID anticipates putting in place seven (7) to ten (10) awards total. The number of small business and unrestricted awards has not yet been determined. Please continue to monitor the Business Forecast and beta.sam.gov for updates.

Q3: Does USAID intend to include a Task Order (TO) or illustrative TO in the IDIQ Request for Proposals (RFP)? If so, will USAID provide a pre-solicitation?

USAID Response Q3: No. USAID does not intend to include an illustrative or real TO in the Request for Proposal (RFP).

Q4: We have noted that several RFPs that were expected to be follow-ons to WADI IDIQ TOs were issued as free and open or under other mechanisms (e.g., WASH Research and Learning, Diversifying Partnerships in WASH [DiP-WASH]). Can USAID please provide more detail on the anticipated pipeline for the WADI II IDIQ?

USAID Response Q4: Since 2008, the USAID annual appropriations for water supply and sanitation has continued to grow, and the number of annually designated High Priority Countries has almost doubled. USAID anticipates continued high demand for technical services to design, implement, as well as monitor, evaluation and learn from water security, sanitation and hygiene programming.

Q5: How does USAID intend to evaluate proposed consortium partners at the IDIQ stage?

USAID Response Q5: Proposals submitted by a consortium team will be evaluated on the criteria included in Section M of the future solicitation. USAID will include technical instructions and evaluation criteria to ensure offerors understand how the capacity, capability, and diversity of its consortium team will be assessed.

Q6: USAID’s business forecast indicates an RFP release on February 26, 2021. Can USAID please provide a revised anticipated solicitation date?

USAID Response Q6: USAID anticipates releasing the RFP in March 2021. The USAID Business Forecast, including anticipated RFP release date and anticipated date of award, will be updated accordingly.

Q7: Request that USAID allow ample time (i.e., weeks, not days) following publication of responses to answers, as well as following the pre-proposal conference for submittal of proposals so that offerors have sufficient time to address both and incorporate needed revisions.

USAID Response Q7: Yes, USAID will ensure that sufficient time is given for bidders to consider and respond to the anticipated solicitation for WADI II.

Q8: Has USAID identified a Geographic Code for this mechanism, and if so, what will it be?

USAID Response Q8: The Geographic code for WADI II has not yet been determined.

Q9: Will USAID release a draft Section L or Section M ahead of RFP release?

USAID Response Q9: No. Please note that USAID will ensure that sufficient time is given for bidders to consider and respond to the anticipated solicitation including Section L - Instructions and Section M - Evaluation Criteria for WADI II.

Q10: Does USAID have an estimate of the minimum or maximum value for individual set aside TOs and the estimated total value of all set aside TOs?

USAID Response Q10: The WADI II IDIQ will have a total estimated cost that will be shared by Small Businesses (SBs) and unrestricted Large Business holders. The maximum value of Task Orders to be set aside for SBs will be provided in the WADI II solicitation.

Q11: Can USAID confirm any plans for multi-stage procurement mechanisms (such as initial concept note, peer review, co-creation, request for full proposal) in TO solicitations?

USAID Response Q11: Requirement for the procedures to request of task order proposals will be included in Section F of the WADI II solicitation. USAID may encourage USAID operating units (OUs) procuring Task Orders to utilize co-creation or other methods or agency priorities as needed and applicable.

Q12: Will task orders be issued to support programming in individual countries/Missions or Bureaus? Or will task orders be issued to support cross-cutting, thematic work for multiple OUs at a given time?

USAID Response Q12: An individual USAID mission or other operating unit will design an activity to be procured as a WADI II Task Order based on the development strategy, determined need and local context (if applicable) of the cognizant operating unit.

Q13: How will USAID balance its small business priorities with its localization agenda?

USAID Response Q13: USAID will continue to support the utilization of U.S. small businesses and support the agency's goal of maximizing the participation of small businesses in USAID procurements. In addition, USAID is committed to facilitating the use of local nonprofit organizations and local private businesses in the implementation of development assistance.

USAID is committed to helping partner countries meet their own development challenges, while also ensuring that U.S. taxpayer investments produce sustainable, long-term development outcomes.

Q14: Can USAID clarify the relationship between WADI and the new Water for the World Implementation Research Agenda: https://www.globalwaters.org/resources/assets/usaid-water-world-implementation-research-agenda?

USAID Response Q14: USAID intends to use the research agenda to guide new and existing WASH activities and to promote evidence generation and learning within Mission WASH programming. Research findings will be disseminated publicly for update and learning by all interested parties, including by future WADI II awardees.

Q15: Are data collections and systems developed under WADI II intended to contribute to larger, aggregated efforts of interest to USAID and the Bureau for Resilience and Food Security?

USAID Response Q15: As noted in the USAID Digital Strategy, "Even when USAID and our partners create digital systems separately, we can, and should, build them to interoperate, with the ability for data-sharing and communication where appropriate. Lack of interoperability undermines sustainability and growth, burdens partners, and can stifle competition."

Q16: Mechanism: Will USAID be considering the OASIS mechanism for this IDIQ?

USAID Response Q16: No, USAID will be procuring the WADI II IDIQ using full and open competition consistent with FAR 15.

Q17: Page 2 of the RFI states “This IDIQ Contract is meant to be a successor (and not a direct follow-on) to the previous Water and Development IDIQ (WADI) and builds on lessons learned over the past years.” Please elaborate on the key differences between the WADI IDIQ and the anticipated WADI II IDIQ contract.

USAID Response Q17: The original Water and Development IDIQ was put in place to support implementation of the Water and Development Strategy, 2013-2018 which had two strategic objectives, water for health and water for agriculture. The WADI II IDIQ will provide services to support implementation of the current USAID Water and Development Plan, appended to the Global Water Strategy. This Plan includes four Development Results (DRs): 1. Strengthen Sector Governance and Financing (Development Result 1); 2. Increase Sustainable Access and Use of Sanitation and the Practice of Key Hygiene Behaviors (Development Result 2); 3. Increase Sustainable Access to Safe Drinking Water (Development Result 3); and, 4. Improve Management of Water Resources (Development Result 4).

https://www.globalwaters.org/resources/assets/usaid-water-world-implementation-research-agenda

Q18: Please clarify how the CKM project that is being procured separately will integrate into this work.

USAID Response Q18: The current and anticipated USAID Global Waters Communication and Knowledge Management contract vehicles will continue to support the work of the USAID Bureau for Resilience and Food Security’s Center for Water Security, Sanitation and Hygiene and other Agency operating units with communication and knowledge management services;

develop high-quality information and knowledge products about any activities implemented in support of USAID’s Water and Development Plan under the U.S. Global Water Strategy.

Q19: Given the emphasis to broaden and diversify its partner base at the prime and subcontractor level, is USAID taking any steps to reduce the administrative and financial burden for small businesses and other new or under-utilized partners?

USAID Response Q19: Yes, USAID is taking steps to reduce the administrative and financial burdens for primes and subcontractors bidding on the WADI II procurement. The solicitation intends to utilize a phased acquisition approach with a primary focus on reducing the administrative and financial burdens of bidding on federal funding opportunities. Please see the recently released Procurement Executive Bulletin (PEB) NO. 20-02 for more information on phased acquisitions and the advisory down-select method.

Additional examples of how USAID reduces the administrative and financial burden is to provide accelerated payments. USAID's policy on accelerated payments is a great initiative to reduce administrative and financial burdens for small businesses. It is USAID’s policy to accelerate payments to small business prime contractors, to the maximum extent practicable, within 15 days of receipt of proper documentation. The Agency also accelerates payments to large business prime contractors to ensure that they can pay small business subcontractors promptly. Such acceleration helps to improve cash flow for small businesses, increases liquidity, unlocks capital for the purposes of investment and growth, and increases small business participation in Federal contracting, and thus is a priority for the federal government. USAID submits regular reports on compliance with this policy to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The Agency utilizes internal data sources as part of the input for the OMB reports; however, receiving information directly from small businesses will help us understand the full picture of payments to small businesses.

Q20: Is there a particular target for number or total value of Task Orders set aside for SB under Service Area C.3.10?

USAID Response Q20: USAID has not set a limit to the number of TOs that can be set aside for small businesses. USAID has not yet identified a dollar value threshold set aside for small business yet.

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/peb_20-02.pdf

Q21: Is USAID working on a new or updated Water and Development Strategy or planning to release more or updated country-specific plans?

USAID Response Q21: Yes, USAID will co-lead the revision of the U.S. Global Water Strategy and USAID Water and Development Plan and anticipates the public release of both in October 2022. Country Plans for countries designated as High Priority subsequent to issuance of the Strategy and Plan must align with the stated objectives and development results.

Q22: How will the management of the IDIQ change now that it is under the new Center for Water, Security, Sanitation, and Hygiene?

USAID Response Q22: The IDIQ will be managed in accordance with USAID policies and procedures. At the time of award, a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will be designated to perform a variety of duties, including serving as the technical liaison between the Contracting Officer (CO) and the contractor. The COR will be a staff member from the Center for Water Security, Sanitation and Hygiene.

Q23: Will USAID recommend a range of the number of consortium members based on past performance and feedback from WADI I?

USAID Response Q23: No.

Q24: Does USAID view consortium sub-contractors and members differently, and how?

USAID Response Q24: No. Promoting subcontracting opportunities for small business is a vital component of USAID's small business program.

Q25: In reference to p.2 of the RFI, what is the difference between a “successor” mechanism and a “direct follow-on”?

USAID Response Q25: In this case, the term “successor” means that the global mechanism is similar to WADI I in that it seeks to provide technical services in furtherance of the agency's current strategy that guides implementation of USAID activities in furtherance of the Water for the World Act. WADI II reflects the Agency's current goal and development results, as well as the services and approaches needed to provide technical assistance to implement investments aligned with the USAID Water and Development Plan. WADI II is not a direct follow-on because the services procured via WADI I were in furtherance of the previous USAID water and development strategy (2013-2018) and different in some respects.

Q26: Does USAID anticipate that some of the RFTOPs under WADI II would include water supply, drainage, management, and resiliency scopes beyond that of potable water supply? That is, does USAID expect that some of the RFTOPs might include agricultural water supply and management for food security and other goals?

USAID Response Q26: In addition to its stated goal and development results, the USAID Water and Development Plan also includes a series of complementary results from other USAID investments that also may contribute indirectly to increased availability and sustainable management of safe water and sanitation including efficient agricultural water management for food security. SOWs for WADI II RFTOPs must demonstrate impact on drinking water, sanitation, hygiene and water resources management, but may include elements of complementary results.

Q27: How will knowledge management and communications activities under WADI II coordinate with the work of the Global Waters website?

USAID Response Q27: The current and anticipated USAID Global Waters Communication and Knowledge Management contract vehicles will continue to support the work of the USAID Bureau for Resilience and Food Security’s Center for Water Security, Sanitation and Hygiene and other Agency operating units with communication and knowledge management services;

develop high-quality information and knowledge products about any activities implemented in support of USAID’s Water and Development Plan under the U.S. Global Water Strategy.

Q28: Given that the Making Cities Work IDIQ has expired, does USAID anticipate including solid waste management under the sanitation management agenda more broadly, including plastic management?

USAID Response Q28: USAID anticipates that sanitation services will focus on activities that increase the number of people living in open defecation free areas and with access to basic and safely managed sanitation services. USAID does not anticipate a focus on solid waste management including plastics and/or management in WADI II.

Q29: Would it be possible to include in the SOW indications on the geographic areas/regions where the WADI II program investments are more likely to be implemented?

USAID Response Q29: Over the period of performance of WADI II, USAID anticipates that IDIQ services will be procured by designated High Priority Countries, Strategic Priority Countries, and Strategically-aligned countries. Although unlikely, any mission or operating unit could potentially issue a task order under WADI II.

Q30: One main question we have is focused around section “C.6.3 FAR Part 36 Applicability for task orders.” We wanted to get some clarification on this particular line - “As part of the overall effort, the contractor may be required to purchase and install commodities and equipment. A&E construction services may not constitute more than 40% of any task order.”

USAID Response Q30: USAID intends to limit the value of construction and architecture and engineering (A&E) services of a WADI II Task Order to ensure the appropriate balance of Task Order programming in order to achieve the goal of the USAID Water and Development Plan, which aims to increase the availability and sustainable management of safe water and sanitation for the underserved and most vulnerable.

Q31: Regarding the statement in Section C.2 on p.3 of the draft SOW, “Small business primes must be capable of providing all of the services outlined in Section C.3 and not just the one technical areas discussed above”, for the response to the solicitation will SB primes be allowed to partner with other firms to demonstrate capabilities and capacity to provide all of the services (i.e., so that the capabilities and the capacity of the proposed team are evaluated and not just those of the SB prime)?

USAID Response Q31: Yes.

Q32: Regarding Section C.6.3 on p.16 of the draft SOW, please confirm that the prime will be responsible to provide construction services, as this is an added risk to be considered by offerors.

USAID Response Q32: Yes. The prime contractor will be responsible for all technical services procured under WADI II.

Q33: Will sub-contractors be permitted to receive Grants Under Contract (GUCs) through individual task orders?

USAID Response Q33: USAID anticipates including Grants Under Contract in the SOW of WADI II, and therefore prime awardees may be able to provide grants via WADI II Task Orders.

Q34: Under Section C.2 Objectives of the draft SOW, it notes that technical area C.3.10 “Performance Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning” will be set-aside for small business. Will USAID please clarify if USAID also intends to issue a portion of TOs related to the other technical areas and cross-sector services as small business set-asides as well?

USAID Response Q34: Currently, USAID only anticipates setting aside Task Orders where services are predominately within the scope of section C.3.10 in the draft Scope of Work for small businesses.

Q35: The service delivery section of the SOW primarily focuses on higher level support through developing partnerships or targeting of service providers. Does USAID also envision direct community outreach such as the implementation of behavior change activities?

USAID Response Q35: Yes, USAID considers this to be a component of the technical area for sustainable access to water, sanitation, hygiene and water resources management.

Q36: Can USAID confirm the only Key Personnel that will be required for the WADI II proposal is the IDIQ Manager as noted in the Draft SOW?

USAID Response Q36: Key Personnel requirements will be clarified in the final WADI II solicitation. The final WADI II solicitation will be posted on beta.sam.gov.

Q37: Does the new executive order #14008 (Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad) change your expectations around the expected demand for or substance of climate analyses related to water and designs related to climate and water?

USAID Response Q37: USAID notes that climate change affects access, quantity and quality of water and will make both water and sanitation systems vulnerable to shocks, such as increased frequency and severity of floods, compounding potential environmental health risks. USAID expects that new or revised agency-specific guidance and procedures will be forthcoming, and notes that a related climate risk management requirement is already in place (see ADS 201).

Q38: Section C.3.1 of the draft SOW: Does the requirement to “support data collection” imply that the contractor will support existing USAID data collection programs and databases? If so, will USAID provide a list and description of them and the scope of support that the contractor is expected to provide? Is the contractor required to create any new databases or data collection processes? (i) It would be helpful to understand any technology stack requirements or preferences that USAID has in collecting, storing, and processing data. (ii) It would be helpful if the government could identify or describe existing data collection databases, systems, or processes that will either be replaced in the future or will continue to be maintained. (iii) It would be helpful if the government could describe available data sources for aggregating and analysis.

USAID Response Q38: The WADI II mechanism may support a range of data collection efforts, including both new efforts and ongoing data collection efforts. As noted in the section C.3.1 of the draft Scope of Work, "The Contractor shall provide services including... supporting the establishment of cost-effective data collection systems and databases." Approaches to technology service selection should aim to advance the Principles for Digital Development (https://digitalprinciples.org/) where appropriate. Specific databases and data sources to be supported will be determined at the task order level.

Q39: Section C.3.8 of the draft SOW: It would be helpful to know if, given the current conditions with COVID-19, and the potential for more remote events in the future, if USAID plans to significantly modify any of your communications activities such as conferences, meetings, workshops, trainings, and other activities under WADI II.

USAID Response Q39: Future request of task order proposals may include instructions stating expectations regarding an offerors ability to deliver services remotely.

Q40: Section C.3.8 of the draft SOW: It would be helpful if the government could describe existing digital platforms maintained by the WADI IDIQ including websites, intranets, resource libraries, etc. and any new digital platforms or goals that will be introduced during the WADI II period of performance.

USAID Response Q40: More information about WADI Task Orders, and their deliverables, may be available in USAID's Development Experience Clearinghouse and/or on USAID’s Global Waters website. Tasks regarding specific digital platforms would be determined at the task order level.

Q41: Section C.3.8 of the draft SOW: It would be helpful to understand any technology stack requirements or preferences that USAID has in delivering digital products and communicating with audiences and stakeholders online.

USAID Response Q41: Approaches to technology service selection should aim to advance the Principles for Digital Development (https://digitalprinciples.org/) where appropriate.

Q42: Section C.4 of the draft SOW: Are there specific institutions—hospitals or schools—for instance that are of particular interest when it comes to WASH services? Or does this IDIQ focus across the gamut from rural clinics to urban hospitals, from local schools to peri-urban universities, from community run gravity fed water systems to private sector water utilities, etc.?

USAID Response Q42: No, there are not specific institutions of particular interest. WADI II is available for water, sanitation, hygiene and water resources management programming in any setting.

Q43: If the prime contractor is an A&E firm, would USAID still prefer that we use a third party to provide site inspections, design and specification review, and quality control? We fully agree that construction services should be procured through local firms.

USAID Response Q43: Exact requirements will be defined in specific task orders. USAID does expect to follow the Agency’s preferred approach to construction.

Q44: Page 3 of Annex 1, Draft Scope of Work (SOW), states “The unrestricted category is intended to provide the broad range of services and tasks outlined in Section C.3 below with the exception of one technical area which has been reserved for small businesses. The provision of services and tasks in sections C.3.10 “Performance Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning” have been set aside for small businesses with specific expertise in this technical area as they relate to the implementation of the Water and Development Plan. Small business primes must be capable of providing all of the services outlined in Section C.3 and not just the one technical areas discussed above.” Consistent with the cross-cutting services and performance technical areas outlined in the SOW, please confirm that the correct reference in this section should be to “cross-cutting services” and not “technical area(s).” Please confirm that similar to the unrestricted category, the SB category is also intended to provide the broad range of services and tasks outlined in Section C.3 and that SB prime holders of the IDIQ will be able to respond to any RFTOP issued under the IDIQ. In addition to the Performance Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Cross-Cutting Service, would USAID kindly consider reserving the Knowledge Management, Information Sharing, Cooperation, and Coordination service (C.3.8) for SBs, consistent with how these Technical Areas/Services were reserved for SBs under the WADI

IDIQ?

USAID Response Q44: Small business holders will be encouraged to apply to all requests for task order proposals falling within the unrestricted category.

https://digitalprinciples.org/ https://digitalprinciples.org/ https://2012-2017.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1865/201maw.pdf

Q45: Does USAID anticipate a particular number or proportion of TOs that would require architectural and engineering and construction services? (C.6.3, FAR Part 36, p.16)

USAID Response Q45: No. USAID notes that more than half of the current WADI activities include construction and/or A&E services in the scope.

Q46: Can USAID clarify whether there is a plan for promoting a whole system WASH approach in the delivery of the program?

USAID Response Q46: Yes, this underpins our strategy to promote more efficient and effective investments. The Water and Development Plan emphasizes: the sustainability of the delivery of both water and sanitation services and water resources; investment in governance, institutions and innovative financing to foster vibrant, financially sound, and increasingly self-sufficient system of service providers; and a holistic treatment of water challenges in response to heightened water pollution, scarcity and variability, and economy-wide competition for the freshwater resource base.

Q47: Can USAID provide more information on how governments’ co-investments to guarantee accountability and local ownership will be assured, if at all?

USAID Response Q47: This question will be addressed in the design of government requirements for Task Orders. The SOW for WADI II includes access to services to build capacity, strengthen institutions and enhance the ability of institutions financially and operationally.

Q48: Can USAID clarify whether there will be expectations for leveraging additional investments (financial and/or in-kind) beyond USAID’s, for instance from corporate donors?

USAID Response Q48: Expectations will be outlined in different task orders under the WADI II

IDIQ.

Q49: In response to Section C.3.7 of the draft SOW, will crisis modifiers enable participants to receive additional funding beyond the Task Order ceiling, if necessary? Will these contingency plans allow for flexibility on previously established deliverables?

USAID Response Q49: Plans will be decided at the TO level.

Q50: USAID states that task orders related to “Performance Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning” will be reserved for small business IDIQ holders? Could USAID clarify if unrestricted holders would have the opportunity to bid on MEL-focused work? Will any non-MEL-focused task orders be released for small business holders?

USAID Response Q50: No, if the activity is set aside as monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL), unrestricted firms will not be able to bid.

Q51: Are performance monitoring and evaluation activities within a task order issued under the C.3.6 category also reserved for small businesses (similar to C.3.10 of the draft SOW)?

USAID Response Q51: No.

Q52: Section C.3.1 of the draft SOW discusses data collection and management at length and Section C.3.2 of the draft SOW gives examples of assessments and analyses. Later the SOW refers to knowledge management. To what extent will WADI II address Collaborating Learning and Adapting (CLA), particularly communities of practice and learning?

USAID Response Q52: CLA will be included in the SOW of the IDIQ and specific TOs will reflect a given mission or operating units’ interest in emphasizing the role of CLA based on the agency requirements, mission-specific strategies and procedures, and country context.

Questions and Answers