Attachment 1 - Questions and Answers -Amendment 0002 - RFP Sol_7200AA24R00016.pdf

ATTACHMENT 1

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Amendment 0002 - Request for Proposals (RFP) - Solicitation Number 7200AA24R00016

STRengthening Infectious disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activity

GENERAL

Q1. We realize that there is only one awardee and we got notified of this call weeks after its release and time is short to prepare a full application.

1. Our question is whether we can offer to prime applicant(s) our lab capacity building module for low resource settings as well as a sub part of that dealing with lab external quality assessments, compliance to ISO lab standards and biobanking? If yes, how will we know which prime offerors could be made aware of our interest to offer our services?

We have team experience in building durable diagnostic laboratory capacities sites in partnership with respective Ministries of Health and which remain operational (led now by others):

● Uganda, with UVRI in Arua field site for diagnosing plague and anthrax, since

2000 (24 years)

● Sierra Leone, with Kenema General Hospital, for Lassa, Ebola and VHF diagnosis and surveillance since 2004 (20 years)

● Liberia, partner with University of Hawaii for BSL2+ Ebola and COVID diagnostic site at the University of Liberia, since 2014 (10 years)

● Guatemala, with Fundacion du Salud, for arboviral, respiratory disease surveillance since 2011 (13 years) and other examples

2. I have tried looking at the USAID website for prime partners and also the other training and information aids but find no such obvious links to contact potential/or eventual selected primes. If you can help with forwarding our interest when appropriate, or how we may find potential prime(s), we would be grateful.

USAID Response:

1. Please review Section C of the RFP to determine what technical services your organization can offer to a Prime Offeror. As stated in the RFP Cover letter, USAID encourages Offerors to visit WorkwithUSAID.org, a resource hub for current and prospective partners to access innovative tools and curated resources to navigate how to work with the Agency. If you are new to USAID, you can follow these steps to get connected and familiarize yourself with the website platform.

● Check out the Start Here Guide: You can get a quick overview of what you need to know to be prepared to work with USAID http://workwithusaid.org/ https://www.workwithusaid.org/start-here https://www.workwithusaid.org/start-here

Attachment 1 - Questions and Answers

● Create a profile in the Partner Directory: Here you can boost your organization’s visibility and unlock the potential to collaborate with partners near you and around the world.

● Take the Pre-Engagement Assessment: With this questionnaire learn about your organizational capacity and receive a customized report that offers tools and resources tailored for your organization’s needs.

Once those three steps are taken, there is a wealth of information and resources to help learn more about partnering with USAID. USAID encourages Offerors to take some time to explore the resources available and to look up answers to the questions you may have. On WorkwithUSAID.org you can:

● Explore the Resource Library with its wide range of curated free resources to help build knowledge and skills.

● Learn about stories with valuable lessons of partnership in the Insight Blog.

● Participate in an upcoming USAID event.

● Visit the FAQ page to learn more about navigating USAID.

2. USAID is not involved in forwarding individual organizations’ profiles to prospective Offerors. Please utilize the guidance provided above to self register in the directory. Prime Offerors would normally review the Partner Directory and many other similar data sources to identify organizations that they can collaborate and partner with to respond to solicitations such as the STRIDES RFP.

Q2. Would it be possible to ask for an extension regarding the deadline for submitting questions and submission of the response?

USAID Response: The period for submitting questions has passed. No extension of the proposal submission date is contemplated at this time.

COVER LETTER

Q3. Page 1 of the RFP highly encourages the maximum extent possible use of small business concerns, small, disadvantaged business concerns, and women-owned small business concerns in STRIDES as prime contractor or as a subcontractor. Could USAID please advise how it defines or will measure use of small businesses’ participation as subcontractors “to the maximum extent possible”? For example, would meeting or exceeding USAID’s small business subcontracting goals for Fiscal Year 2024 provided in Annex J-8 (page J-8-3) be considered such a measure?

USAID Response: FAR 19.702 requires contractors to agree in the contract that small business concerns will have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in contract performance consistent with its efficient performance; and demonstrate a good faith effort throughout the period of performance of the contract. Consistent with FAR 19.705, a Contracting Officer will look into https://www.workwithusaid.org/directory https://www.workwithusaid.org/directory https://www.workwithusaid.org/pre-engagement https://www.workwithusaid.org/pre-engagement https://www.workwithusaid.org/resource-library https://www.workwithusaid.org/resource-library https://www.workwithusaid.org/blog https://www.workwithusaid.org/blog https://workwithusaid.org/events https://workwithusaid.org/events https://www.workwithusaid.org/faq https://www.workwithusaid.org/faq https://www.workwithusaid.org/directory the totality of the contractor's actions, to determine the extent to which a good faith effort was made to comply with its Small Business Subcontracting plan consistent with the information and assurances provided therein. USAID would among other things, assess the extent small business concerns participated in the contract relative to the size/value of the contract, the nature, complexity and variety of the work small business concerns performed, in compliance with the Contractor’s subcontracting plan or other similar small business incentive programs set out in the contract (as applicable). Meeting or exceeding USAID’s small business subcontracting goals for Fiscal Year 2024 provided in Annex J-8 (page J-8-3) would be one of such a measure.

SECTION B - - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

Q4. The RFP (Page 4 of 184) references CLIN 001 only, but the sample budget template references CLIN 0001 for direct and indirect costs and CLIN 0002 for fixed fee.

● Should there be a CLIN 0002?

● Should the emergency response fund be a separate CLIN?

● There is no CLIN 002. Sample budget template (Attachment J.7) has been updated to remove CLIN 002 for fixed fee.

● The emergency response fund will be part of direct costs.

Q5. USAID indicates in section X.X that the STRIDES Activity will be a CPFF Term-Type Contract, Given the abundance of unknowns for each country context at the RFP stage, we believe that making this a CPFF Completion Type Contract would greatly ease the burden of tracking LOE for all parties (including USAID, the contractor, and especially local partners). This contract type will enable the achievement of project results as the illustrative countries become more known.

USAID Response: The CPFF Term-Type Contract as indicated in the RFP remains unchanged.

Q6. RFP P. 5, B.5(a), Budget: This section states, “The Contractor must provide [TBD] productive days level of effort (LOE) to implement the SOW for direct charged employees and subcontractors (consultants must be in one or the other category).” How would USAID like non-major subcontractors’ LOE to be incorporated??

USAID Response: The Offeror must list all productive LOE including LOE for major and non-major subcontractors.

Q7. Could USAID please confirm that only the Offeror and major subcontractors’ productive

LOE be included in the LOE table.

USAID Response: Please see response to Q6 above.

Q8. Could USAID please confirm that the LOE table in the budget spreadsheet needs to be completed by the Offeror and major subcontractors only.

USAID Response: Please see response to Q6 above.

Q9. RFP P.5, B.5(d), Budget: The table in Section B.5(d) does not include Key Personnel under the LTTA labor category. This is inconsistent with Attachment J.7’s LOE table. Will USAID confirm Key Personnel should be included in the LTTA labor category and Attachment J.7 LOE table?

USAID Response: Key Personnel should be included in the LTTA category in Section B.5(d) and the LOE table in Attachment J.7.

Q10. Section B.5 (d) (p.5) states: “The level of effort includes person-days associated with professional technical personnel working on the STRIDES program and program related issues, monitoring and evaluation, research, communications and outreach, and analyses or assessments. Other professional and nonprofessional efforts including: administrative, financial support, logistics, IT, office support, procurement efforts; are not included in the technical professional level of effort.” –

Can USAID clarify that Key and Senior Personnel responsible for managing all aspects of the Contractor’s responsibilities pertaining to finance and administration, and subcontractor management should not be included in the level of effort (LOE) table?

USAID Response: Key and Senior finance and administrative personnel should be included in the LOE table.

Q11. Section B.5 Level of Effort (LOE): The table on page 5 requests the Offeror to classify different types of technical assistance according to staff designations as either CCNs or Expatriates. To account for cases where we might propose a Third Country National (TCN), can we add rows for short-term technical assistance and long-term technical assistance by TCNs?

USAID Response: Yes, the Offeror can add rows for short-term technical assistance and long-term technical assistance to include TCNs.

Q12. Section B.6 Indirect Costs, Page 5-6: Section B.6 (c) and (e) include references to indirect rate ceilings. However, Section B of the RFP does not include a Section for Indirect Rate Ceilings, therefore we believe the references to indirect rate ceilings in paragraph (c) and

(e) were inadvertently included. This is consistent with Section L that indicates indirect ceilings are optional. As such, we request that paragraph (c) in Section B.6 be updated to read as “Reimbursement for indirect costs shall be at final negotiated rates.” and paragraph

(e) be removed to eliminate any ambiguity.

USAID Response: Paragraph (c) in Section B.6 has been updated to read “Reimbursement for indirect costs shall be at final negotiated rates.” Paragraph (e) in Section B.6 has been deleted. A subsequent paragraph has been renumbered accordingly.

SECTION C – STATEMENT OF WORK

Q13. Can a bidder respond by proposing activities only in one or several out of the listed countries?

USAID Response: The Offeror should be able to clearly demonstrate how they can work globally to support GHS funded countries.

Q14. Can a bidder submit a response covering 1 or 2 objectives, or the bidder must cover all 4 objectives?

USAID Response: The Offeror must respond to all four objectives, as instructed in Section L.6.2.5 of the RFP.

Q15. STRIDES objectives might complement or overlap with US mission-driven GHS calls. In the latter case, does USAID anticipate that country missions might lose interest in STRIDES funding?

USAID Response: The STRIDES award will be primarily funded by Missions that are interested in activities outlined in the objectives. If Missions already have their own award(s) doing similar activities, they may not choose to buy-in the STRIDES award.

Q16. Given the expected large amount of data the project will generate and the vast quantity of information it will produce, does USAID anticipate programs to develop a structure for information sharing with US health authorities as a project output, or would the expectation be that information exchange will happen when multilateral organizations like WHO are involved.

USAID Response: USAID may decide to leverage existing and/or new platforms to share data generated from STRIDES, assuming that appropriate data sharing agreements are in place.

Q17. Is it possible to include formative research activities as part of the proposal?

USAID Response: The activities outlined under each objective represent the type of work the STRIDES contractor will implement; formative research is not included in these activities.

Q18. As evidence of collaboration with government entities, can current collaboration framework agreements be presented?

USAID Response: The Offeror may provide current collaboration agreements if they deem them necessary to support their proposed approach.

Q19. If the supporting documents submitted (e.g. original agreements) are in another language, is a free translation acceptable or is a certified translation required?

USAID Response: The Offeror can choose how they would like to translate documents and are responsible for any error(s) in translation.

Q20. Is it possible to propose regional activities (several countries) only for one or some of the objectives of the call? Or if regional activities are proposed, should they be done for all objectives?

USAID Response: The STRIDES award will be primarily funded by individual Missions, therefore USAID recommends that the offeror’s proposed approach focuses on country level activities rather than regional activities.

Q21. To conduct data input into international data systems (objective 3.B.), the goal is to achieve interoperability between the country's systems and international data systems or to generate reports in formats that can be uploaded to these international systems?

USAID Response: This will depend on the country; the illustrative task listed under objective 3.B refers to countries to be trained on using these data systems and entering information into them directly.

Q22. If the proposal is approved but for an amount less than the requested, may the contractor propose changes to the activities and scope of the proposal, according to the amount financed?

USAID Response: The proposed ceiling for this award is not a guarantee of funding, it represents the maximum amount of money that can be obligated into the award. The actual amount of money that will be obligated into the award will depend on the number of Missions that choose to buy-in and the size of the program they decide to implement.

Q23. Given the RFP's emphasis on assisting countries in reaching the 7-1-7 global target and recognizing the substantial challenges historically encountered by ID systems during major outbreaks, could you clarify how does USAID envision the integration of interventions aimed at enhancing preparedness and readiness within the framework of Objectives 1, 2 and 3?

USAID Response: Please refer to the RFP illustrative activities in Objective 4 that aim at addressing global outbreak response challenges.

Q24. Is it correct that offerors will propose illustrative activities for each objective and that upon award actual country activities will be developed through co-creation with USAID (Missions and Washington)?

USAID Response: Yes, that is correct, Offerors will propose illustrative activities for each objective and that upon award actual country activities will be developed through co-creation with USAID (Missions and Washington).

Q25. Is USAID able to share which countries it anticipates support will start in the first year?

USAID Response: Specific countries are not available to share. Please refer to the list of GHS funded countries in Attachment J.2 to get an idea of the potential countries for year 1.

Q26. The RFP provides details of which country goes into each of the large, medium, and small categories. Has this allocation been based on need/gaps and country readiness for TA or on some other basis? If determined on other parameters, can USAID please expand on this categorization?

USAID Response: Attachment J.2 includes an illustrative categorization of Global Health Security countries by potential size of program (large, medium, small) determined by several factors including overall GHS funding amount, technical priorities and programmatic needs.

Q27. The RFP speaks to characterizing pathogens. Does this mean that the offeror may build the capacity of target laboratories to conduct full characterization of the pathogen genome or only limited characterization and not build capacity that could potentially be used for genetic manipulation?

USAID Response: The RFP includes activities to identify and characterize pathogens of public health importance so as to mitigate and treat infectious diseases of priority. Included is strengthening the ability of countries to address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by identifying phenotypic and genotypic resistance markers. The following footnote has been added to RFP Section C.3.4.1: “Please note that phenotypic characterization only applies to AMR-related activities and that other pathogen characterization will be limited to genotyping (detection, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis).

Q28. To improve diagnostic networks essential equipment may be procured. Does USAID have an estimated % ceiling of what level of funds would be reasonable for equipment procurement?

USAID Response: There is no estimated % ceiling for equipment procurement. Offerors must propose equipment needs consistent with their technical approach.

Q29. Section C.3.1 Scope of the Award, C.3.4.2 Objective 2 (Pages 15,19):

On page 15, the RFP states, “USAID support for animal sampling will be limited to event-based surveillance and related capacity building activities for ongoing outbreaks” and goes on to list restrictions related to wildlife sampling. However, on page 19, the RFP states “the Contractor shall perform indicator-based surveillance that routinely monitors specific, notifiable diseases.”

Can USAID please confirm that livestock and/or domestic animal sampling for prioritized zoonotic disease and AMR surveillance activities is allowable?

USAID Response: RFP Section C.3.1 has been amended to state: “USAID support for wildlife sampling will be limited…” Livestock and domestic animal sampling for prioritized zoonotic disease and AMR surveillance is permitted under this award as it pertains to the four objectives.

Please refer to RFP Section C.3.4.2 Objective 2.

Q30. Page 15 says STRIDES will not support wildlife sampling for routine surveillance. In many countries, there are wildlife farms (farmed animals) and captive wildlife (in zoos, government confiscations, sanctuaries etc.)- are they also excluded from testing and sampling under this category?

USAID Response: Wildlife on farms are considered wildlife. Please refer to RFP Section C.3.1 Scope of the Award:

● STRIDES will not support wildlife sampling for routine surveillance.

● STRIDES will only support wildlife animal sampling in response to an active event, such as when there is evidence of human cases or exposure to zoonotic pathogen spillover from wildlife, or when there is mass die offs or illness in animal species that are known reservoirs for microbes capable of infecting humans.

Environmental sampling (feces, urine, ejecta collected from the environment and not directly from the animal) is permitted as it pertains to the four objectives.

Q31. In line with the above question, how about in cases of endemicity, where there is evidence that wildlife contributes or have potential to contribute to spillover- ie. in the case of rodents for Lassa virus. There is constant contact of humans with rodents in their homes, or in wild meat markets where wild animals are sold-

Can sampling and testing be done? (Maybe providing us with a definition of the categories under accepted wildlife sampling will be helpful.)

USAID Response: Please refer to RFP Section C.3.1, page 15:

● STRIDES will not support wildlife sampling for routine surveillance.

● STRIDES will only support wildlife animal sampling in response to an active event, such as when there is evidence of human cases or exposure to zoonotic pathogen spillover from wildlife, or when there is mass die offs or illness in animal species that are known reservoirs for microbes capable of infecting humans.

Q32. Did USAID conduct an evaluation of the ongoing USAID Infectious Diseases, Detection and Surveillance (IDDS) project? If so can the evaluation report be made available?

USAID Response: Yes, USAID conducted an evaluation of the IDDS project; however, the report is not publicly available.

Q33. Is routine fecal sampling from wildlife permissible?

USAID Response: Capturing wildlife to sample feces would not be permitted unless there was an ongoing outbreak linked to that species of wildlife and is related to the four objectives. Routine fecal sampling is permissible if collected from the environment (considered environmental sampling) as it pertains to the four objectives.

Q34. Does USAID anticipate a carve-out of portions of the work to be considered fundamental research?

USAID Response: The STRIDES award will not have a carve-out for fundamental research.

Q35. Section C.3.4.4, page 23: Objective 4 references the limited provision of essential commodities to host government countries for emergency response in the event of an outbreak. Will these commodities be limited to necessary items that support localized detection and response efforts or might this include a larger procurement effort to support the national response?

USAID Response: Provision of commodities will be limited to localized efforts that help supplement larger procurement efforts happening at the national level.

Q36. Section C.5 Management and Coordination Considerations: How does USAID expect Offerors to fund global cross-cutting activities (e.g. KM, CLA, Communications) that are not considered management activities?

USAID Response: Cross-cutting activities will be funded through a mix of USAID field support and core funding.

Q37. Sections C.6.2 and C.6.3 (p.29) – Can USAID please confirm that offerors should provide titles of professional personnel to meet the criteria of Technical Lead and Senior Personnel, but names of candidates are not required for the proposal submission.

USAID Response: Yes, USAID confirms that offerors should provide titles, but that specific names of candidates are not required and will not be evaluated.

Q38. On p. 34-35, a gender analysis for GHS is referenced. Could the full report of that gender analysis please be shared?

USAID Response: The GHS gender analysis report is not publicly available, however, the findings of the GHS gender analysis are described in the solicitation in Section C8 of the RFP.

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

Q39. Section F.2 Period of Performance, Page 38: The period of performance is “five years from the effective date of award.” For pricing purposes, what is the estimated start date for the contract?

USAID Response: The estimated start of the award is September, 2024.

Q40. For budgeting purposes, could USAID provide an anticipated project start date?

USAID Response: The estimated start of the award is September, 2024.

Q41. Can USAID please provide clarity on the anticipated award date, start date and period of performance for this award?

USAID Response: See RFP Section F.2 - Period of Performance. The estimated start of the award is September, 2024.

Q42. RFP P. 29 & 41, C.6.3 & F.5(d), Personnel: In Section F.5(d) USAID states “…the Contractor must provide for technical leadership by dedicating non-key but Technical and Senior Personnel to Biosafety and Biosecurity.” Would USAID confirm the Biosafety and Biosecurity role should align to C.6 (2) Technical Lead and not (3) Senior Personnel (defined as non-technical staff)?

USAID Response: USAID confirms that the Biosafety and Biosecurity role should align with C.6

(2) Technical Lead.

Q43. Section F.5 (p.39-41) – describes Key Personnel as well as Non-Key Technical and Senior

Personnel to ensure implementation. Can USAID please clarify that these positions should be apportioned to respective country buy-ins based on respective scope as the positions are not home office costs as described in L.7.2 (a).2?

USAID Response: Section L.7.2 (a).2 states: Overall support of the management and operations of the STRIDES program for five years. Management costs can support, but are not limited to, management personnel, communications, monitoring and reporting, and minimal home office costs. Offeror will apportion such costs based on their proposed technical approach.

Q44. On page 39, Section F.5 Key Personnel paragraph (a), the RFP indicates “For the purpose of this activity, the offeror may propose up to five (5) key personnel.” However, on Page 165, section L.6.2.6 paragraph (b) Key Personnel, the RFP indicates “The Offeror must propose up to five key personnel positions and provide the description of the required qualifications for each proposed position.” Can USAID please confirm if it is up to 5 key personnel, or we must include 5 key personnel?

USAID Response: The offeror may propose up to five (5) key personnel.

Q45. Does USAID anticipate requiring an Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Report as part of each Annual Report?

USAID Response: As stated in Section F.6(g)(8) of the RFP, “As part of each Annual Report, the Contractor must submit an EMMR to document compliance with the EMMP.”

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

Q46. According to the SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA > G.1 AIDAR

752.7003 DOCUMENTATION FOR PAYMENT (NOV 1998) > (a) says: “Claims for reimbursement or payment under this contract must be submitted to the Paying Office indicated in the schedule of this contract.”

● Does it mean that there are no disbursements or advanced payments to receive the funds?

As a Colombian government institution, we are only allowed by Colombian law to celebrate contracts and make payments just when we have received the funds in advance from grantors.

● What is the percentage ceiling for indirect costs for non-US institutions?

● As a non-US institution, we have no a NICRA, for this case, we understand that we need to present an Audit Financial Report. If the contract is for 5 years when the audit report must be presented, for every year or at the end of the contract period?

● The cost of the audit is assumed with the funds of the project or must be assumed by the grantee?

● How the Fixed-fee is calculated and what can be used for (overheads, administrative personnel, equipment, supplies, etc.)?

● How the payments are made, is there a platform where the funds are requested?

● The resulting award will be in the form of a contract, not a grant. US Government and

Federal Agency Contracting Regulations (Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)/AIDAR) govern the type of payment for services rendered. The resulting award is a cost reimbursement contract which means the contractor incurs the cost and can be reimbursed for those costs through the submission of a proper invoice. Advance payments under an assistance mechanism (i.e. a grant) is normal practice. However, under a contract advance payment is a form of contract financing and is not offered under this contract.

● Offerors propose a percentage ceiling for indirect costs consistent with their cost accounting/cost structure. For organizations with a NICRA, indirect cost rates are approved by the cognizant US Government entity. Organizations without a NICRA proposed indirect rates consistent with their base cost compositions along with derived rates, the bases of allocation of these rates, and an independent certified audit by a certified accounting firm of these rates. There is no set percentage ceiling for indirect costs that applies to all non-US institutions.

● Audited financial statements are required with USAID proposals from organizations without a NICRA to ensure financial accountability, transparency, and compliance with regulations. They provide USAID with a comprehensive view of the organization's financial health, integrity, and ability to manage funds. The audited financial statements should therefore, be historical and cover the organization's financial activities for the past three fiscal years.

As stated in Section L.7.2(e)(9)(ii), If the Offeror or major subcontractor does not have a cognizant Government Audit Agency, the proposal must include:

- Audited balance sheets and profit and loss statements for the last two complete years, and the current year-to-date statements (or lesser period of time if the Offeror is a newly-formed organization). The profit and loss statements should include detail of the total cost of goods and services sold, including a listing of the various indirect administrative costs, and be supplemented by information on the prime contractor’s customary indirect cost allocation method, together with supporting computations of the basis for the indirect cost rate(s) proposed; and,

- The most recent two fiscal year pool and base cost compositions along with derived rates, the bases of allocation of these rates and an independent certified audit by a certified accounting firm of these rates.

● This is not an assistance award, as such, the rules of USG contracting apply. Costs incurred to complete an audit are borne by the contractor.

● As stated in Section L.7.2(e)(10) Fixed fee, FAR 15.404‐4 provides for establishing the profit or fee portion of the Government pre‐negotiation objective and provides profit‐ analysis factors for analyzing profit or fee. Any proposed fee must be supported with the rationale supported by application of the profit‐analysis factors.

● Section G.1 and G.2 of the RFP provides instruction on how funds are requested and how payments are made to the Contractor.

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

Q47. Section H.46 - Field Support Guidance and Process, Page 114:

Does USAID anticipate that the Offeror should be ready to support other USAID portfolios such as HIV/AIDS, Malaria, MCH, neglected tropical diseases, and/or tuberculosis since the contract will also support these USAID/W health portfolios (if engaged to do so)?

USAID Response: The STRIDES award will primarily be supported by Mission buy-ins and not USAID/W health portfolios. In instances where Missions express interest in leveraging one or more STRIDES objectives to support other health areas such as (HIV/AIDS, Malaria, MCH, etc), the contractor should be prepared to do so. We anticipate that this type of support will be limited, if at all requested.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/subpart-15.4

Q48. H.46 (p.114) indicates that there may be support provided to USAID Washington in addition to USAID Missions –

● Can USAID please provide instruction for how these activities should be captured in the budgeting instruction?

● Will there be core buy-ins as well for work with USAID/Washington health portfolios?

The RFP states, “If engaged to do so, the Contract will also support USAID/Washington health portfolios such as Global Health Security, HIV/AIDS, Malaria, MCH, neglected tropical diseases, and/or tuberculosis. In its four Objectives (See Section C.3.2.), the Statement of Work indicates areas in which the Contractor “must” provide technical assistance, however this will only be mandatory if and when required by USAID during implementation of an approved work plan by the COR”.

USAID Response: The STRIDES award will primarily be supported by Mission buy-ins and only limited support will be provided to USAID/W. The STRIDES award will primarily be supported by Mission buy-ins and not USAID/W health portfolios. In instances where Missions express interest in leveraging one or more STRIDES objectives to support other health areas such as (HIV/AIDS, Malaria, MCH, etc), the contractor should be prepared to do so. USAID anticipates that this type of support will be limited, if at all requested.

SECTION J - DOCUMENT, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

Q49. Could USAID please explain how the Offeror should complete and submit Attachment J.5

Certification Regarding Trafficking In Persons Compliance Plan. The plan requires the contract number and the name of the apparent successful Offeror/Contractor to be included, however, the Offeror won’t have the contract number at the time of the proposal submission.

USAID Response: RFP Attachment J.5 - Certification Regarding Trafficking In Persons Compliance Plan has been updated to require Solicitation Number. The completed Plan must be submitted as part of Volume II - Cost/Business Proposal, along with all other Representations, Certifications and Other Statement of Offerors required in Section K of the RFP.

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

Q50. Section L.5 - Delivery Instructions: On page 160, the RFP states that electronic submissions must be text accessible “In both Adobe Acrobat PDF and MS Word (software versions 2003 or newer) for the technical proposal, budget narrative, and all other required documents that form part of the proposal.” However, the RFP also mentions that “Pages containing signatures must be submitted in Adobe Acrobat PDF format.”

Will USAID allow Offerors to only submit a PDF file for the technical proposal and budget narrative as both of these documents would contain pages with signatures?

USAID Response: Section L.5(b)(1) second bullet allows submission “In both Adobe Acrobat PDF and MS Word (software versions 2003 or newer) for the technical proposal, budget narrative, and all other required documents that form part of the proposal.” Section L.5(b)(2) states “Pages containing signatures must be submitted in Adobe Acrobat PDF format” which would be a separate file from documents submitted in MS Word.

Q51. L.5(b)(1) (p.160) – Please confirm that the only part of Volume II (Cost Proposal) that is required to be submitted in Word is the narrative that will accompany the budget.

USAID Response: The budget narrative can be submitted in both Adobe Acrobat PDF and MS Word (software versions 2003 or newer). As stated in Section L.5(b)(2) “Pages containing signatures must be submitted in Adobe Acrobat PDF format” which would be a separate file from the budget narrative submitted in MS Word.

Q52. On page 161 section 4 indicates the annexes will not be scored or read. On page 167 section

L.6.2.8 states the annexes will be evaluated. Can USAID please clarify whether annexes will be evaluated or not?

USAID Response: Section L.6.1(a)(4) of the RFP has been revised to state that “Additional pages beyond the 30-page limit will not be read or evaluated by USAID. This includes any Annexes that are only cross-referenced in these additional pages.”

Q53. Does the 30-page limit for the technical proposal concern the overall proposition, or is it a

30-page limit per country? Furthermore, if the bidders form a consortium, is the 30-page limit overall or per organization?

USAID Response: The 30-page limit for the technical proposal concerns the overall proposal. If the bidders form a consortium, the 30-page limit is for the overall technical proposal.

Q54. RFP P. 162, L.6.1.a(5), Formatting: Will USAID confirm graphics, textboxes, and tables can use font other than Times New Roman for improved readability?

USAID Response: Font size 9 other than Times New Roman is acceptable for graphics, text boxes and tables. RFP Section L.6.1.a(5) has been amended accordingly.

Q55. L.6.1(a)(5) (p.162) – May offerors use a different (sans serif) typeface/font for the graphics, textboxes, and tables?

USAID Response: See response to Q54 above.

Q56. Section L.6.1 - Organization of Technical Proposal, L.6.2.4 Executive Summary, Page 161, 164: The list of items on page 161 that are excluded from the page limitation of the Technical Proposal does not include the Executive Summary. However, on page 164, the RFP states that the Executive Summary does not count against the 30-page limit. Could USAID please confirm if the Executive Summary is excluded from the 30-page count?

USAID Response: The Executive Summary is excluded from the 30-page count. Section L.6.1(2) of the RFP has been updated to include Executive Summary as one of the items that does not count towards the 30-page limitation.

Q57. L.6.1(2), L.6.2, and L.6.2.1 (p.161,163) – May offerors include a cover page in addition to a cover letter?

USAID Response: Offerors may include a cover page in addition to a cover letter.

Q58. Does USAID require the technical to present program indicators for global or country-level activities?

USAID Response: The Offeror must demonstrate a technically sound Technical Approach to achieve the Purpose as described in Section C.1, and all of the objectives described in Section C.3 and the Cross Cutting Guiding Principles (see Section C.4). USAID does not require the bidder to present program indicators for global or country-level activities.

Q59. Would USAID consider inclusion of tables and graphics from the technical approach as an annex?

USAID Response: Any tables or graphics to support the technical approach should be included in the technical approach and not an annex. Please refer to L.6.2.6 for what to include in the annex.

Q60. Does USAID require a MERL section (and/or annex) as part of this proposal?

USAID Response: No, Monitoring Evaluation and Learning plans will be required deliverables after the award is made.

Q61. Does USAID require an illustrative learning agenda and approach to developing a learning agenda as part of the proposal?

USAID Response: No, Monitoring Evaluation and Learning plans will be required deliverables after the award is made.

Q62. Would USAID kindly consider including a staffing matrix, inclusive of non-personnel, as an annex in order for offerors to be responsive to technical evaluation factors, namely:

“The extent to which the offeror’s Technical Approach demonstrates its technical competency for successfully executing this contract, with a technically sound plan that includes: an effective staffing plan and matrix (see RFP Section C.6 and F.5), qualified staff (see RFP Sections C.3.3 and C.6) and proposed key personnel (RFP See Section F.5), and a technically sound approach to the engagement of personnel.”

USAID Response: The staffing matrix is an important component of the Offerors’ overall approach to implementation and should be included in the 30 page-limit for the approach. That component will not be moved to the annex.

Q63. Section L.6.2.6 - Organizational Capabilities, (a) Management and Staffing, Page 164:

Would USAID allow the staffing matrix to be included as an annex? If so, please confirm that the staffing matrix would be excluded from the 30-page limitation.

component will not be moved to the annex.

Q64. On Page 164 of the RFP, section L.6.2.6 paragraph (a) Management and Staffing, it references “The Offeror must provide a staffing plan and matrix.” Would USAID consider a Staffing Matrix as a technical annex?

component will not be moved to the annex.

Q65. L.6.2.6 (p.164) – Please confirm that the management and staffing approach should be in the Organizational Capabilities section, not the Technical Approach section.

USAID Response: Confirming that the management and staffing approach should be in the Organizational Capabilities section, which in addition to the technical approach falls within the 30-page limit. Section L.6.2.6 of the RFP has been amended accordingly.

Q66. RFP P. 164, L.6.2.6(b), Key Personnel: This section states “The offeror must submit for each of the proposed key personnel positions a position description (maximum 1 page) …” This is inconsistent with L.6.2.8 Annexes which does not give a page limit. Will USAID confirm there are no page limits per position description outside of the overall Annexes limit of 15 pages?

USAID Response: The offeror must submit for each of the proposed key personnel positions a position description (maximum 1 page). Section L.6.2.8 has been amended to:

Per L.6.2.6: Position description proposed for each key personnel position: roles, responsibilities, lines of communication and expected involvement by award objective (1 page maximum per key personnel).

Q67. Section L.6.2.6 (b) (p.164) states “The offeror must submit for each of the proposed key personnel positions a position description (maximum 1 page) describing the roles, responsibilities, lines of communication and expected involvement by award objective.” – Would USAID consider removing the requirement for the Offeror to organize this information by award objective?

USAID Response: USAID would like to see how the proposed Key Personnel will support one or more the STRIDES objectives.

Q68. RFP P. 164, L.6.2.6(b), Key Personnel: This section states “The Offeror must propose up to five key personnel positions and provide the description of the required qualification of each proposed position. The Offeror will be evaluated on the proposed key personnel team and how each proposed staff’s qualifications ensure their ability to provide leadership in addressing technical and administrative aspects required...” Will USAID confirm offerors must submit named key personnel and not just position descriptions and qualifications?

USAID Response: USAID confirms that offerors should provide position descriptions and qualifications; specific names of personnel are not required and will not be evaluated.

Q69. On Page 165, section L.6.2.6 paragraph (b) Key Personnel, the RFP references “The

Offeror will be evaluated on the proposed key personnel team and how each proposed staff’s qualifications ensure their ability to provide leadership in addressing technical and administrative aspects required…” Can USAID confirm they do not require offerors to submit CVs for the key personnel, and is expecting the 1-page summary of roles and responsibilities for each role noted on page 165?

USAID Response: USAID confirms that offerors should provide position descriptions and qualifications; specific names of personnel and CVs are not required and will not be evaluated.

Q70. RFP P. 164, L.6.2.6 (b), Key Personnel: This section states “The Offeror will be evaluated on the proposed key personnel team and how each proposed staff’s qualifications ensure their ability to provide leadership in addressing technical and administrative aspects required...” To effectively demonstrate this, will USAID confirm offerors may submit Key Personnel CVs as an Annex? If so, will USAID update L.6.2.8 (p. 167) to be inclusive of this and their respective page count?

USAID Response: USAID confirms that bidders should provide position descriptions and qualifications; specific names of personnel and CVs are not required and will not be evaluated.

Q71. L.6.2.6 and L.6.2.8 (p.164-5; p.168) – Can USAID provide greater clarity about what information should be included within the 30 pages and what information should instead be included in the 15-page Annexed material; specifically:

a. L.6.2.6(a) – Please confirm that the visual representation that maps roles and responsibilities for each organization included in the Offeror's proposal across each of the four objectives should be included as an annex as referenced in Section L.6.2.8 and is not included in the 30-page limit.

b. L.6.2.6 (a) states that “the Offeror must provide a staffing plan and matrix demonstrating the qualifications proposed by the Offeror as being needed to execute this subcontract. The matrix shall correspondingly demonstrate the qualifications of all staff proposed by the Offeror and their roles and responsibilities, in order to successfully execute this contract.” – Can USAID confirm that the staffing matrix in L.6.2.6 (a) is the same as the information requested in the L.6.2.8 Annex whereby offerors must describe Key Personnel position descriptions, roles, responsibilities, and lines of communication (and therefore the same information requested in L.6.2.6 (a) would not be included within the 30 pages).

c. L.6.2.6 (a) – Should the staffing matrix include both technical and non-technical (administrative, financial, etc.) positions?

d. L.6.2.6 (a) – Should the staffing matrix include country-level positions staffed for specific buy-ins, or should it only include global and regional positions working across core and buy-ins?

a. The visual representation can be included as an annex as referenced in Section L.6.2.8 and is not included in the 30-page limit.

b. The staffing matrix in L.6.2.6 (a) is not the same as the information requested in the L.6.2.8 Annex. The staffing matrix is an overview that demonstrates how the qualifications proposed by the Offeror are needed to execute this contract. The staffing matrix should be included in the 30-page limit, under Organizational Capabilities as part the Offerors approach.

c. The staffing matrix should include both technical and non-technical positions.

d. The staffing matrix should include both global and country-level positions.

Q72. Section L.6.2.6 (a) (p.164) – Please confirm that the visual representation that maps roles and responsibilities for each organization included in the Offeror's proposal across each of the four objectives should include organization names only and should not include position titles for staff provided by the Offeror and subcontractors.

a. Can USAID confirm that offerors do not need to include a position-based organizational chart in their proposals?

b. Can USAID clarify whether the names of Key Personnel and their relevant qualifications are to be included in this Annex?

USAID Response:

a. The Offeror must provide a narrative and a visual representation that clearly articulates managerial, administrative, communication and reporting functions between headquarters (including offeror and major sub-contractors), regional and/or in-country partners to effectively execute the contract. The visual representation shall clearly map roles and responsibilities for each organization included in the Offeror's proposal across each of the four objectives.

b. Specific names of personnel and resumes are not required and will not be evaluated.

Q73. Section L.6.2.6 - Organizational Capabilities, (a) Management and Staffing, L.6.2.8

Annexes, Pages 164, 167: On page 164, the visual representation that will map the roles and responsibilities for each organization across each of the four objectives is included under the Management and Staffing subsection of the Organizational Capabilities.

However, on page 167, this requirement is included in the annexes. Could USAID please clarify if the visual representation of each organizations roles and responsibilities should be included as an annex?

USAID Response: As stated in Section L.6.2.8 of the RFP, “A visual representation that clearly maps roles and responsibilities for each organization included in the Offeror's proposal across each of the four objectives” is one of the required annexes to the technical proposal. Note that for this annex to be evaluated it must be cross-referenced in the appropriate section of the technical proposal narrative.

Q74. Section L.6.2.6 - Organizational Capabilities, (a) Management and Staffing, Page 164:

Under a) Management and Staffing on page 164, the RFP requires a matrix that “shall correspondingly demonstrate the qualifications of all staff proposed by the Offeror and their roles and responsibilities”. However, on the same page, a “narrative demonstrating the Offeror’s proposed staff to meet the required technical competencies (see Section C.3.3), to include the proposed staff’s roles and responsibilities, and proposed qualifications (see Sections C.6 and F.5)” is also required.

To avoid duplicity, may Offerors only provide a narrative to “demonstrate efficient lines of communication to and from these staff within the structure of the contract” within the Management and Staffing subsection? And address the other requirements for proposed staff (i.e. technical competencies, roles and responsibilities, and qualifications) as a part of the staffing matrix?

USAID Response: Offerors may provide a narrative to “demonstrate efficient lines of communication to and from these staff within the structure of the contract” within the Management and Staffing subsection and address the other relevant requirements as a part of the staffing matrix.

Note that for the annex to be evaluated it must be cross-referenced in the appropriate section of the technical proposal narrative.

Q75. Section L.6.2.6 - Organizational Capabilities, Page 164: May Offerors include resumes for named personnel that are not key? If so, please confirm that the resumes would be excluded from the page limitation of the Technical Proposal.

USAID Response: Specific names of personnel and resumes are not required and will not be evaluated.

Q76. Section L.6.2.6 - Organizational Capabilities, (b) Key Personnel, Page 164:

Are resumes required for key personnel? If so, please confirm that the resumes would be excluded from the page limitation of the Technical Proposal and confirm whether there is a page limitation for resumes.

USAID Response: Specific names of personnel and resumes are not required and will not be evaluated.

Q77. Section L.6.2.7(a)(2) and L.6.2.7 (p.165, 167) – Please confirm that the past performance short form is to be used only for contracts/awards that are not in CPARS.

USAID Response: The past performance short form is to be used for all past performance information requested in Section L.6.2.7 of the RFP.

Q78. L.6.2.7 and L.6.2.8 (p.165-167) – Please confirm that:

(a) the past performance short form, awards information, and performance in using small businesses can be an annex to the technical proposal; and

(b) these items do not count toward the 15-page annex limitation.

(a) Per Section L.6.2.7(a)(1) and (d)(3) of the RFP, past performance short form, awards information, and performance in using small businesses can be included as an annex to the technical proposal. Note that for these annexes to be evaluated they must be cross-referenced in the appropriate section of the technical proposal narrative.

(b) The annexes described in (a) above do not count toward the 15-page annex limitation indicated in Section L.6.2.8 of the RFP.

Q79. On p. 165, Section L.6.2.7,…