Amendment 1 to Sol_72011121R00002.pdf

(x)

72011121R00002 x x

1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted ; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 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.

x

N/A

Not Applicable

720111

00000 USAID/Armenia

09/10/20210001

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) is not extended.is extended, Items 8 and 15, and returning

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

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FACILITY CODE CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

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

PAGE OF PAGES

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.3. EFFECTIVE DATE2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

08/09/2021

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

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) appropriation data, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

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

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

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

The purposes of this Amendment to the solicitation are to: (i) provide clarifications and additional information as included in the attached documents (ATTACHMENTS A, B, C), (ii) extend the closing date for submission of proposals to October 11, 2021 at 5pm, Yerevan time, and (iii) change the NAICS code of the program from 924110 - Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs to 541620 - Environmental Consulting

Services.

ATTACHMENT A - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

ATTACHMENT B - LOCAL COMPENSATION PLAN

ATTACHMENT C - ASPIRED PROJECT QUARTERLY REPORTS

All other terms and conditions of the solicitation document remain unchanged.

---End of Amendment 0001---

Continued ...

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

Robert Claussen

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 11/2016)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

Previous edition unusable

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

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

2 23

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

72011121R00002/0001

Period of Performance: 04/01/2022 to 03/31/2027

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

Amendment #0001; Solicitation # 72011121R00002 “Armenia Improved Water Management for Sustainable Economic Growth Program”

ATTACHMENT A - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

# Question USAID Response

1. Sections L.6.3 and L.7(d) Part 4 – Past Performance: Item (a).1 of this section (RFP page L-9) references a “Past Performance Information Sheet” and specifies it to be RFP Attachment 5. However, no such attachment is listed in Section J of the RFP and the actual Attachment 5 is the Budget Template. Can USAID please provide the referenced “Past Performance Information Sheet” document?

Past Performance Matrix is included in Section J as Attachment 4 and is attached to the Solicitation Document (ATTACHMENT 4

PAST PERFORMANCE MATRIX).

Please delete the reference to Attachment 5 under Sections L.6.3 and L.7(d) Part 4 – Past Performance and insert Attachment 4.

2. Sections L.6.3 and L.7(d) Part 4: Please confirm that Past Performance data shall only be submitted as Part 4 of the Cost Proposal even though it is listed in the evaluation criteria for the technical proposal.

Confirmed.

3. Sections L.7(d) Part 4: The RFP only request data for past performance contracts “not listed in CPARS”. We assume that offerors should also list projects in CPARS, but they do not need to provide further details on these contracts? Please confirm. Also, the instructions seem to limit contracts to only those with a value between $5 million and $10 million. Can USAID please clarify whether projects of greater or lesser value will be considered relevant?

Past Performance information should be submitted for projects of similar scope, size, scale, duration, nature and complexity that are not in CPARS. The referenced value between $5 million and $10 million is reasonable taking into account the total estimated cost range for this award from $8 to $9 million. However, offerors are free to submit information, within the established 3-page limit, on contracts of greater or lesser value in case they believe that the submitted past performance information will strengthen their proposal.

4. Section L.6: The list of required annexes (item #7) includes the Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan (item #f); however, section L.7(d) Part 6 indicates that “Offerors do not need to submit a branding and marking plan with their initial proposals.” Can USAID please confirm that the Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan is not required with initial proposal submission? If it is required with proposal submission, please clarify whether it should be included as part of the technical proposal or cost proposal?

No Branding and Marking Plan should be submitted with the initial proposal.

USAID will request Branding and Marking Plan from Offerors who are determined to be in the competitive range, or the apparent successful Offeror, should no competitive range be established.

5. Section L.6.1: May the draft MEL plan be submitted as a separate annex to the Technical Proposal that is excluded from the 30-page limit?

The draft MEL plan is included in the 30-page limitation.

Amendment #0001; Solicitation # 72011121R00002 “Armenia Improved Water Management for Sustainable Economic Growth Program”

6. Section L.6.2.a): Can USAID please confirm that the COP and DCOP the only two required Key Personnel for this proposal?

COP and DCOP are the only required Key Personnel for this proposal. Offers may propose additional key personnel based on the specifics of the project and the proposed management structure.

7 Section L.6.2.b), and M.2.B: The RFP indicates that proposals “must demonstrate qualifications and professional experience of key and non-key personnel” and requires offeror’s to “include in the proposal résumés for all professional personnel”; however, section L.6.2.a) states that “Offerors are not required to name Armenian longterm staff, other than key personnel, or provide CVs thereto”. Can USAID please confirm that non-key personnel need not be named in the proposal nor should resumes describing qualifications and experience be provided for them?

Offerors must include in the proposal résumés for all identified professional personnel. The qualifications and experience of personnel, including proposed key and non-key personnel is an evaluation sub-criterion under Criteria 3, Management Plan and Personnel.

8 Section L.7(f): The RFP indicates that “USAID discourages the use of exclusive agreements” for key personnel. Can USAID confirm that Key Personnel candidates may be included in more than one offeror’s proposal?

Exclusivity agreements are discouraged for proposed local professional and key personnel staff, excluding the COP and DCOP as indicated under L.6 2 (a).

Thus, local professional and key personnel staff, excluding COP and DCOP, can be included in more than one proposal.

9 Section L.6: The proposal outline in Section L.6 does not include an acronyms list. Should offerors include an acronym list and, if so, is it excluded from the page limit?

Offerors can include an acronym list which will not be accounted for against the page limit.

10 Section L.6 and L.7: The RFP states that the technical proposal should be on standard 8 ½ x11 paper. However, section L.7 instructs offerors that the cost proposal should be on A4-size, 216mm x 297 mm paper. Can USAID please confirm that the technical and cost proposals should be on different size paper?

Both the Technical and cost proposals should be on standard 8 ½ x11 paper. Please delete the reference to A4-size, 216mm x 297 mm paper for the cost proposal under Section L.7 and replace it with 8 ½ x11 paper.

11 Section E.1: The RFP contains FAR 52.204-14 Service Contract Reporting Requirements but does not contain FAR 52.222-41 Service Contract Labor Standards. Can USAID clarify whether FAR 52.222-41 is applicable and, if not, suggest reporting requirement 52.204-14 (RFP section E-1) be removed.

If it is applicable, we suggest adding FAR 52.222-41 to solicitation.

FAR 52.222-41 SERVICE CONTRACT ACT OF 1965, AS

AMENDED (MAY 1989) is hereby added to under Section I.1

NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED

BY REFERENCE

12 What is the threshold for Partner Vetting? Is the threshold cumulative for all sub awards or for each award action? What is the duration of vetting approval?

Currently, USAID does not conduct Partner Vetting in Armenia.

Amendment #0001; Solicitation # 72011121R00002 “Armenia Improved Water Management for Sustainable Economic Growth Program”

13 Does the USAID Armenia Mission Office utilize the PVS portal for vetting or is it a manual process where the forms are submitted via email with emailed responses?

Currently, USAID does not conduct Partner Vetting in Armenia.

14 Will the base period extend for the 5 year project duration. What are the durations of the option 1 and option 2.

The total duration of the contract will be 5 years. Options 1 and 2 are for Optional Objectives rather than additional time. There are no option periods.

15 Are the ASPIRED project annual and final reports available. If so, we kindly request to have a copy of these reports.

ASPIRED project Quarterly reports are attached (Attachment C).

Also, they can be found in the DEC. The final report is not available yet.

16 Can you please clarify if the following annexes count against the 30-page limit for the technical proposal.

Annex A. Management Structure Chart Annex D: Project List and Past Performance References Annex E: Other Illustrations Annex F: Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan If the above annexes do not count against the 30-page limit, can you please indicate the page limit for each annex.

The listed annexes are not included in the 30-page limitation for the technical proposal. Following are the page limits for annexes.

a) Management Structure Chart Annex - no page limit

b) Résumés (Resumes not to exceed 2 pages for each individual and are not included in the 30-page limitation)

c) Letter of Commitment for Key Personnel (Limited to one page and does not count against page limit)

d) Project List and Past Performance References Annex - 3 pages

e) Other Illustrations Annex - no page limit

f) Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan - No Branding and Marking Plan should be submitted with the initial proposal.

USAID will request Branding and Marking Plan from Offerors who are determined to be in the competitive range, or the apparent successful Offeror, should no competitive range be established.

17 Can you please clarify if resumes are only required for the key personnel. Offerors must include in the proposal résumés for all identified professional personnel. The qualifications and experience of personnel, including proposed key and non-key personnel is an evaluation sub-criterion under Criteria 3. Management Plan and

Amendment #0001; Solicitation # 72011121R00002 “Armenia Improved Water Management for Sustainable Economic Growth Program”

18 Paragraph 3 of the RFP cover letter provides that “The total estimated value of the award is $8 million - $9 million, including Base and Options 1 and 2.

However, Section 1.1 of the Attachment 1 – Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) states “The purpose of this IEE to analyze potential environmental impacts and recommend environmental determination for the new 5 years, $7,000,000 for the base activities and $2,000,000 for the optional activities…”. Could USAID please clarify if there is a ceiling for the Base activities and a ceiling for the optional activities?

The total estimated cost range for this award from $8 to $9 million, including:

Base: $6.3 million to $7 million Option 1: $1 million to $1.17 million Option 2: $0.7 million to $0.8 million

19 While Section F.3, Place of Performance provides that “Performance of this contract will be in the Republic of Armenia”, Section C.4, Detailed Work Requirements provides that “If the GOAM requests additional USAID/ Armenia assistance, this activity may expand to support cooperation on water resources monitoring and management with the neighboring countries of Azerbaijan, Turkey, or Georgia” and Option Objective 4, Preparation for Regional Cooperation with Neighboring Countries provides more details for regional cooperation with riparian countries. Please clarify if the offeror is expected to perform activities in neighboring countries and accordingly should budget for the anticipated costs of such activities and related travel and accommodation.

The project is expected to support Armenia’s cooperation on shared water resources monitoring and management with riparian countries. If during the implementation there will be a need for Armenia’s participation in meetings or conferences outside of Armenia the project can provide support, but there is no intention of other types of project support outside of Armenia.

20 Option Objective 4 - Preparing for regional cooperation with neighboring countries, provides that “Contingent on funding levels and the GOAM request, USAID may exercise the option of preparing for regional cooperation over shared waters with riparian countries” and Option Objective 5 - Improved access to water, provides that “Contingent on funding levels and the GOAM, as well as community requests, USAID may exercise the option of extending a greater number of small-scale infrastructure projects than proposed in the base period of the SOW”. Would USAID be able to provide more information as to the time the decision to exercise the two options and how will these be spread over the 5 years of the activity?

USAID will make a determination about exercising Options 1 and/or 2 at the award stage or later during Year 1 of the program implementation, subject to availability of funds.

21 The link for footnote #3 of page C-2 is for an RFP. Could USAID provide the correct link?

Please see the following link:

https://unfccc.int › files › resource › NC4_Armenia_PDF https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/NC4_Armenia_.pdf https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/NC4_Armenia_.pdf https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/NC4_Armenia_.pdf

Amendment #0001; Solicitation # 72011121R00002 “Armenia Improved Water Management for Sustainable Economic Growth Program”

22 Page C-5, Base Objective 3 paragraph, Sentence 2, reads: “Under Objective 4…” Can USAID confirm that this should read: “Under Objective 3 ….”.

Confirmed. Sentence 2 on Page C-5 should read “Under Objective 3…”

23 In Section L.6, Instructions for Preparation of Technical Proposal, Required Order of the Technical Proposal does not include an acronym list. Please clarify if an Acronym List is required and whether it counts against the page limit.

Offerors can include an acronym list which will not be accounted for against the page limit.

24 Section F.6 Reports and Deliverables or Outputs provides that the Work Plan is due 60 calendar days after contract award. However, Section L – page L-4, Technical Approach provides that: “Additionally, the offeror must present the work plan for the first year”. Can USAID please clarify if the requested Work Plan in Section L is different from the Section F, which is required to be submitted within 60 days after contract award?

USAID is expecting the offerors to submit the initial draft work plan as part of the proposal, which will be finalized by the contractor within 60 days after the contract award. The subsequent year annual work plans should be submitted within 60 days of each performance year.

25 In page L-5 – the sixth paragraph provides that “Offeror’s are not required to name Armenian long-term staff, other than key personnel, or provide CV’s thereto”. The last sentence of that paragraph continues by saying: “Letters of commitment are discouraged for proposed local professional staff, excluding the COP and DCOP”. Page L-6, third paragraph provides that: “Offerors must also include in the proposal resumes for all professional personnel (as an Annex)”.

a. Can USAID please clarify for which positions should the offeror include CV’s?

b. Since there is no explicit mention of what the key personnel positions are, Can USAID confirm that the COP and DCOP positions are the only key personnel? -

a. Offerors must include in the proposal résumés for all identified professional personnel. The qualifications and experience of personnel, including proposed key and non-key personnel is an evaluation sub-criterion under Criteria 3. Management Plan and Personnel.

b. COP and DCOP are the only required Key Personnel for this proposal. Offers may propose additional key personnel based on the specifics of the project and the proposed management structure.

26 In page L-5 – the sixth paragraph provides that “Offeror’s are not required to name Armenian long-term staff, other than key personnel, or provide CV’s thereto, but must include in the staffing plan the desired complement of local personnel, including position titles, desired qualifications, and how their inclusion would best achieve the results of this project”. However, Paragraph

b) Qualifications and Experience of Personnel on the same page provides that “The proposal must present the Offeror’s proposed key personnel and other candidates for project positions (both field and, if applicable, home office), and a description of the location and on the job relationships between

a. Offerors must include in the proposal résumés for all identified professional personnel. The qualifications and experience of personnel, including proposed key and non-key personnel is an evaluation sub-criterion under Criteria 3. Management Plan and Personnel.

b. Confirmed. Offerors may provide titles and qualifications for positions for which individuals have not been identified at the time of proposal submission but are encouraged to identify

Amendment #0001; Solicitation # 72011121R00002 “Armenia Improved Water Management for Sustainable Economic Growth Program” each. The activity is expected to rely heavily on local organizations and international experts.” Please clarify:

a. Is the offeror required to provide names and qualifications of all staff or just the key positions, assumed to be the COP and the DCOP? If all staff, would that include administrative staff, or only full-time technical professionals?

b. If names for other than the COP and DCOP are not required, is the offeror required to provide position titles and desired qualifications for all proposed positions?

c. Please confirm our understanding that if it is the intent of USAID to have the teams rely heavily on local organizations and international experts either as individual consultants or as STTA under subcontracts with US firms.

personnel for these positions and submit associated documentation as required.

c. Confirmed.

27 In page L-5 – the sixth paragraph provides that “Offeror’s are not required to name Armenian long-term staff, other than key personnel, or provide CV’s thereto”. However, Section L.6, the Instructions for Preparation of Technical Proposal, Required Order of the Technical Proposal, Required Annexes – subject to page limitation, paragraph b) Résumés (Resumes not to exceed 2 pages for each individual and are not included in the 30 page limitation).

Given the contradiction between these two requirements, please clarify:

a. Are CVs required for Key Personnel only?

b. Are CVs included in the page limitations?

c. Are annexes subject to page limitation?

a. Offerors must include in the proposal résumés for all identified professional personnel. The qualifications and experience of personnel, including proposed key and non-key personnel is an evaluation sub-criterion under Criteria 3. Management Plan and Personnel.

b. No. Resumes not to exceed 2 pages for each individual and are not included in the 30-page limitation.

c. No. The following are the page limits for annexes.

a) Management Structure Chart Annex - no page limit

b) Résumés (Resumes not to exceed 2 pages for each individual and are not included in the 30-page limitation)

c) Letter of Commitment for Key Personnel (Limited to one page and does not count against page limit)

d) Project List and Past Performance References Annex - 3 pages

e) Other Illustrations Annex - no page limit

f) Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan - No Branding and Marking Plan should be submitted with the initial proposal.

USAID will request Branding and Marking Plan from Offerors who are determined to be in the competitive range, or the apparent successful Offeror, should no competitive range be established.

Amendment #0001; Solicitation # 72011121R00002 “Armenia Improved Water Management for Sustainable Economic Growth Program”

28 Under Section L-6, Instructions for Preparation of the Technical Proposal, numerical paraph 7, Required Annexes – Subject to page Limitation, USAID included a note for Annex b) that resumes “are not included in the 30 page limit”, and for Annex c) that “Limited to one page and does not count against page limit”

See the response above.

29 Can USAID share the Local Compensation Plan for Armenia? Please see attached the current Local Compensation Plan for Armenia (Attachment B).

30 Is there a page limit to the Cost Proposal? No, there is no page limit for the cost application but information provided should be reasonable in amount and scope.

31 Section L.7, Part 2, page 107 states the Offeror may provide indirect ceiling rates. Is this required or optional?

Indirect ceiling rates are required per Section B.6 ADVANCE

UNDERSTANDING ON CEILING INDIRECT COST RATES

AND FINAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR INDIRECT COSTS

of the RFP.

32 Is Section K required to be provided from the major subcontractor? Yes.

33 Page L-9, Part 4- Past Performance provides that “Contracts not listed in

CPARS, list in the Past Performance Information Sheet (Attachment 5) contracts with value between $5 million and $10 million...” On that same page, point 2 of that section states “For all contracts listed above that are not in CPARS, provide past performance information as reflected in Attachment 5… Past Performance information should include the following: Contract #, Dollar Value, etc.” Can USAID confirm if the reference is for Attachment 4, since Attachment 5 is the budget template? And can USAID clarify in what format should the offeror list contracts that are listed in CPARS?

Past Performance Matrix is included in Section J as Attachment 4 and is attached to the Solicitation Document (ATTACHMENT 4

PAST PERFORMANCE MATRIX).

Please delete the reference to Attachment 5 under Sections L.6.3 and L.7(d) Part 4 – Past Performance and insert Attachment 4.

Past Performance information should be submitted for projects of similar scope, size, scale, duration, nature and complexity that are not in CPARS.

34 Can USAID please confirm if there is a certain number of past performance contracts the Offeror needs to provide from the Prime and major subcontractor, each?

There is no limit for the number of past performance contracts from the Prime and major subcontracts. However, past performance information should not exceed the established 3-page limit.

35 Are past performance contracts required to be within a certain time period? If so, please specify.

Past performance information should be submitted for the past 5 years.

36 Page L-10, Part 6- Branding and Marking Plan provides that: “Offerors who are determined to be in the competitive range, or the apparent successful Offeror should no competitive range be established, shall submit a branding and marking plan which complies with Section D.1. However, the following sentence in page L-11, reads: “Offerors do not need to submit a branding and

No Branding and Marking Plan should be submitted with the initial proposal.

USAID will request Branding and Marking Plan from Offerors who are determined to be in the competitive range, or the apparent successful Offeror, should no competitive range be established.

Amendment #0001; Solicitation # 72011121R00002 “Armenia Improved Water Management for Sustainable Economic Growth Program” marking plan with their initial proposals”. In addition, the Branding and Marking Plan is not included in the list of Annexes listed under the Required Order of the Technical Proposal. Can USAID clarify whether a Branding and Marking plan should be included with the proposal?

37 In the first paragraph of page M-1, the RFP provides that: “USAID/Armenia invites all interested and qualified organizations to submit proposals in accordance to the requirements of this RFP. U.S. and non-U.S. for-profit firms and non-governmental organizations are eligible to submit proposals”.

However, the NAICS code for this solicitation is 924110 – Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs. Based on the language of the official NAICS webpage: “The industry comprises government establishments engaged in one or more of the following…” Can USAID clarify if the NAICS code for this solicitation 924110 would allow for-profit firms and NGOs to submit proposals in response to this solicitation? Or will USAID use a different NAICS code for this solicitation?

After further consideration, USAID has identified a more appropriate NAICS code for this project. The NAICS code of the program is hereby changed from 924110 - Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs to 541620 - Environmental Consulting Services.

38 Attachment 5. Page 7, in the LOE table, is the offeror required to provide the estimated LOE for just the Base (Objectives 1,2, and 3) or for the Base plus Option 1 (Objective 4) & Option 2 (Objective 5)?

The budget structure for base and Options 1 and 2 should be the same, including LOE table. Thus, the LOE should be estimated and presented for the Base and all options. Budget for options should be clearly identified.

39 Is the offeror required to provide a budget for the Base (Objectives 1,2, and

3) for all 5 years, and a budget for Option 1 (Objective 4) for all 5 years, and a budget for Option 2 (Objective 5) for all 5 years? Or is there a specific year that USAID intends to exercise Option 1 and Option 2?

The total duration of the contract will be 5 years including Options 1 and 2, if exercised. USAID will make a determination for exercising the Options 1 and 2 at the award stage or during Year 1 of the program implementation subject to availability of funds.

Offerors should include Options 1 and 2 in their budgets for all years.

40 Section C.1 refers to the “private sector”. Does this include CSOs/NGOs as well as private for-profit businesses?

Yes.

41 Section C.2 refers to insufficient water flow due to fish farms and small hydro power plants. Can we assume reduced flows are also the result of drought or other climate change-related impacts on water resources?

Yes, there are different factors resulting in reduced flows, including fish farms, small hydros, drought, high temperature, and other climate related impacts.

42 Section C.4., Base Objective 3., Promote and Scale Best Practices and Innovative Approaches in Water Conservation and Use to Increase Equitable Access to Water Resources provides that “Conservation practices are a key

Yes, there is a lack of effective conservation and water use practices in Armenia.

Amendment #0001; Solicitation # 72011121R00002 “Armenia Improved Water Management for Sustainable Economic Growth Program” bottleneck to equitable and sustainable access to water for productive use.” The meaning of this statement is unclear. Does USAID mean the lack of effective conservation practices?

43 Are there any geographic parameters/restrictions for implementation of the project?

The project must be implemented in Armenia, excluding participation in regional meetings. The Geographic Code for this project is 937 and 110

44 Does specific mention of Syunik and Ararat Valley in the RFP/SOW indicate that more focus should be placed on water stressed communities in those areas?

No, it does not.

45 Should Option Objectives 4 and 5 be included in the offeror’s budget as part of the total estimated value of the award ($8-9 million)? If not, is there a requirement to prepare separate cost estimates for the Option Objectives?

Should activities proposed by the offeror to achieve Option Objectives 4 and 5 be described in the Technical Approach, Management Plan, etc. (as per Section M. Evaluation Factors) at the same level of detail as the Base Objectives? Will elaboration of Option Objectives in the offeror’s proposal be considered in USAID’s formal evaluation of the proposal?

The total estimated cost range for this award from $8 to $9 million, including:

Base: $6.3 million to $7 million Option 1: $1 million to $1.17 million Option 2: $0.7 million to $0.8 million The option objectives should be described in the technical proposal and will be evaluated by USAID using the evaluation criteria of Section M of the RFP. Option objectives should be budgeted separately as presented in the budget template.

46 Section C-4 (Detailed Work Requirements), pages C-3 - C-4, states: “… this activity may expand to support cooperation on water resources monitoring and management with neighboring countries of Azerbaijan, Turkey, or Georgia” whereas on page C6 it is stated: “… Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey.” (Bold/underlined added here for emphasis). Please clarify if inclusion of all or one of mentioned neighboring countries is required or optional?

USAID anticipates cooperation with more than one neighboring country. An example of cooperation can be water resource monitoring where USAID will support Armenia’s joint monitoring of water resources with each neighboring country doing water sampling on its own expense.

47 Section L, page L-4 states: “Required Annexes specified below will be counted towards the page limit” while below on the same page, under point 7, [Required Annexes] are not counted against page limit. Please clarify?

The listed annexes are not included in the 30-page limitation for the technical proposal. Following are the page limits for annexes.

a) Management Structure Chart Annex - no page limit

b) Résumés (Resumes not to exceed 2 pages for each individual and are not included in the 30-page limitation)

c) Letter of Commitment for Key Personnel (Limited to one page and does not count against page limit)

d) Project List and Past Performance References Annex - 3 pages

Amendment #0001; Solicitation # 72011121R00002 “Armenia Improved Water Management for Sustainable Economic Growth Program”

e) Other Illustrations Annex - no page limit

f) Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan - No Branding and Marking Plan should be submitted with the initial proposal.

USAID will request Branding and Marking Plan from Offerors who are determined to be in the competitive range, or the apparent successful Offeror, should no competitive range be established.

49 The terms “Key Personnel” and “key personnel” are mentioned throughout the RFP/SOW. Please clarify if both terms (capitalized and not capitalized) are intended to be understood as defined in USAID ADS Chapter 319. If so, did USAID intend to list the Key Personnel, with position specifications, minimum qualifications and experience? Or is it up to the offeror to propose “Key Personnel” (in compliance with the aforementioned ADS Chapter 319).

In addition to “Chief of Party” and “COP”, the RFP Section L specifically mentions “DCOP”. Does this mean that a DCOP should be included in the offeror’s staffing plan, and if so, as a formal “Key Personnel”?

Capitalized and not capitalized “key personnel” are defined under ADS 302.3.5.4 are “Those personnel directly responsible for management of the contract,” or “Those personnel whose professional and technical skills are certified by the requiring office as being essential for the successful implementation of the contract activity.”

Offers are free to propose additional key personnel based on the specifics of the project and the proposed management structure.

50 Section B.5-B.6, Page B-2 Under FAR 52.216-7(b) and (d) a contractor is to be reimbursed its indirect costs in accordance with the final indirect cost rates approved by the contractor’s cognizant federal agency official. Section B.6 of this RFP is inconsistent with this approach and would lock Offeror’s into indirect cost rates that do not reflect actual costs. As such, Offerors will either need to propose artificially inflated proposed indirect cost rates or risk utilizing a proposed indirect cost rate that is lower than their actual costs and government approved indirect rates.

We respectfully request that Section B.6 be removed, and that Section B.5 be revised to clarify that the Contractor will ultimately be reimbursed for its approved indirect cost rates.

Indirect ceiling rates are required per Section B.6 ADVANCE

UNDERSTANDING ON CEILING INDIRECT COST RATES

AND FINAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR INDIRECT COSTS

of the RFP.

51 Section B.7, Page B-3 Section B.7 Payment of Fixed Fee (a) states, “The Government shall pay the Contractor for performing this contract the fixed fee specified in the Schedule.”

● We request that USAID kindly clarify the Schedule.

The fixed fee schedule is presented under B.4 Budget and is defined as CLIN 004, CLIN 008 and CLILN 0012. Payment of fixed fee will be done according to B.7 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE item (b).

The language of Section B.7 corresponds to FAR 52.216-8 and cannot be changed.

Amendment #0001; Solicitation # 72011121R00002 “Armenia Improved Water Management for Sustainable Economic Growth Program”

● We recommend that USAID consider revising the text regarding the payment of fixed fee, as follows: “At the time of each payment of allowable costs to the contractor, the USAID paying office pays the contractor a percentage of the fixed fee that directly corresponds to the percentage of allowable costs being paid.”

52 Section F.6.C, Page F-5 The RFP states: “The MEL Plan submitted to USAID should include only those indicators that the USAID Mission needs for activity management, rather than the entire set of all indicators an activity implementer uses for its management purposes. In order to measure Contractor performance, in addition to the illustrative indicators provided in the Statement of Work, the targets at the minimum acceptable level are required as detailed in the RFP.”

● There is no other reference to targets at the minimum acceptable level noted in Section C of the RFP. This requirement seemingly conflates indicators that trigger payment of fee (e.g., number of required reports submitted on time) with performance indicators. We request that USAID consider revising this paragraph to clarify this issue. The following statement in the Section C, Final Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: “The Offerors may propose higher targets as appropriate to fully implement their proposal and may suggest additional indicators to be used to measure Contractor’s performance”.

● Please note that the RFP does not specify targets in Section C. We request that USAID provide clarification on the “higher targets” reference in this section, as no targets had been specified in Section C of the RFP.

As USAID has not specified targets in the SOW, Offerors should propose their own “high” but realistic targets.

53 Section F.6.A, Page F-3 Under A. Annual work plans there is reference to a Structural Reform program. Please clarify this reference.

Please replace the reference to “Structural Reform program” with “Armenia Improved Water Management for Sustainable Economic Growth Program”

54 Section H.31, Page H-18 USAID imposes a non-standard clause requiring the contractor to “exercise due diligence on personnel to be engaged under this contract to ensure that proposed candidates were not directly involved in or associated with any dubious activities, including the recent financial scandals, and that their

Section H.31 requires the Offerors to comply with FAR 52.203.-13 Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct. Under 52.203.-13 (b)(2)(i) the Contractor shall “Exercise due diligence to prevent and detect criminal conduct”.

Amendment #0001; Solicitation # 72011121R00002 “Armenia Improved Water Management for Sustainable Economic Growth Program” employment histories and past conduct display integrity congruent with the program goals.”

● In order to ensure compliance, we respectfully request that USAID clarify the following terms referenced in the RFP: o What constitutes “due diligence?” o What activities would constitute being “associated” with a dubious activity? o What would constitute a “dubious activity?” o What “recent U.S. financial scandals” are being referenced? o How USAID would determine whether an employee’s “past conduct display[s] integrity congruent with the program goals?”

● If USAID cannot define such terms, it is unclear how a contractor could comply with this clause. We respectfully request that it be removed, particularly given the fact that there are multiple other clauses, including FAR 52.203-13, that protect USAID against potential fraud under the contract.

55 Section I, Page I1 In relation to Section I.1 on page I-1, we request that USAID identify the portions of the work that it believes would constitute an acquisition function closely associated with inherently governmental functions. If such work is not called for under the contract, would USAID please remove clause 52.203-16 Preventing Personal Conflicts of Interest, in accordance with the prescriptive language of FAR 3.1106?

The contractor will perform the following closely associated with inherently governmental functions: (1) Planning acquisitions, (2) Determining what supplies or services are to be acquired, including developing statements of work. (3) Developing or approving any contractual documents, to include documents defining requirements, incentive plans, and evaluation criteria. (4) Evaluating contract proposals, (5) Awarding Government contracts, (6) Administering subcontracts (including ordering changes or giving technical direction in contract performance or contract quantities, evaluating contractor performance, and accepting or rejecting contractor products or services), (7) Terminating contracts, (8) Determining whether contract costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable.

Thus, 52.203-16 Preventing Personal Conflicts of Interest clause will not be removed.

56 Section I, Page I21 In Section I, Page I-21 of the RFP, USAID incorporates by reference FAR 52.229-8 Taxes-Foreign Cost-Reimbursement Contracts. Would USAID please clarify the following:

A 1992 treaty between the Governments of the United States and Armenia creates different levels of tax and duty exemptions for USAID partners ‑US, foreign and local. The table below outlines the most important exemptions. Note that the exemptions apply only to costs incurred under United States Government assistance programs.

Amendment #0001; Solicitation # 72011121R00002 “Armenia Improved Water Management for Sustainable Economic Growth Program”

● Please confirm if the resultant contract will be exempted from all host country taxes - VAT, duties, income tax (for US and local teaming partners and their personnel).

● In order to allow contractors to better assess their potential tax liabilities, can USAID please provide Offerors with copies of any applicable bilateral agreements or similar relevant document with the government of Armenia and/or guidance regarding the procedures for obtaining tax exemptions under such agreements.

Thus, an organization working with both USG and private funding must ensure that it does not improperly claim exemptions for privately‑funded activities and risk prosecution for tax evasion. Also note that the 1992 treaty does not exempt USAID partners from registration, accounting, withholding or other requirements not specifically exempted by law.

TYPE OF TAX OR DUTY EXEMPT

Value‑added tax (VAT) on goods and services acquired in or AB imported into Armenia for use in US assistance programs

Excise tax on goods acquired in or imported into Armenia for AB use in US assistance programs

Customs duties on goods imported into Armenia for use in US AB assistance programs

Property and land taxes on property and land acquired in AB Armenia for US assistance programs

Profit tax on profits earned in connection with the A implementation of US assistance programs

Employer social security, pension and employment fund A contributions relating to salaries paid in connection with the implementation of US assistance programs (otherwise paid by an employer directly to the state as a cost in addition to salaries; i.e., not withheld from salaries)

Employee income tax arising from salaries paid in connection C with the implementation of US assistance programs

Amendment #0001; Solicitation # 72011121R00002 “Armenia Improved Water Management for Sustainable Economic Growth Program”

Employee contributions to the pension and employment fund C relating to salaries paid in connection with the implementation of US assistance programs otherwise withheld from salaries)

VAT and customs duties on household goods imported into, C exported from, or used in Armenia

A ‑ US government or US private organizations B ‑ Other organizations (Armenian and non‑US foreign) C ‑ Employees of A who are not Armenian citizens and who are not ordinarily resident in Armenia It should be clear that USAID partners, regardless of their nationalities, are not exempt from withholding income tax and employee social taxes with respect to their Armenian employees.

57 Section J, Attachment 3, Page J-1 Please clarify whether the Offeror should submit SF LLL - DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES as part of the Cost Proposal? This form is listed as an ATTACHMENT 3 in Section J; however, its submission is not included into instructions for preparation of proposal.

The SF LLL - DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES should be submitted as part of the cost proposal along with Section K.

58 Section J, Attachment 5, Page J-1 Please provide Attachment 5 BUDGET TEMPLATE CPFF in MS Excel format.

● Please confirm that Offerors and subcontractors can adjust Budget template to add line items under Direct and/or Indirect Costs categories to align with Offeror’s cost structure?

USAID will not provide the excel file of the template to avoid issues with formulas and potential errors. Offerors are requested to create the excel spreadsheet using the budget template as a guide and adjust it, if necessary, to align with their cost structure.

59 Section K, Page K-2 Does only prime contractor submit section K certifications and representations, or other subcontractors submit section K as well?

Section K certifications should be submitted by the Prime offeror and proposed major subcontractors.

60 Section K Section L.7, Page L-11 Section L.7, Part 7–Portions of Section K not Available Online of instructions for preparation of the Cost proposal states that “Offerors must submit those portions of Section K not available online in this section.”

Offerors are requested not to make changes to the Section K and complete the requested information.

Amendment #0001; Solicitation # 72011121R00002 “Armenia Improved Water Management for Sustainable Economic Growth Program”

● Please confirm that Offeror can modify Section K by deleting sections available at sam.gov certification and submit sections not listed on sam.gov only.

61 Section L.6, Page L.4 Section L.7, Instructions L-10 Section L.6 provides the list of required Annexes:

a) Management Structure Chart

b) Résumés (Resumes not to exceed 2 pages for each individual and are not included in the 30-page limitation)

c) Letter of Commitment for Key Personnel (Limited to one page and does not count against page limit)

d) Project List and Past Performance References

e) Other Illustrations

f) Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan Please clarify if:

● “Management Structure Chart” is the same as the “organizational chart or exhibit that illustrates the roles of the organizations in program implementation”. (This chart will not count against page limitations),” which is listed under the L.6, 2, o If so, please confirm that Organizational Chart will not be counted against 30 pages limitation.

● “Project List and Past Performance References” is the same as Past Performance Information Sheet?

The Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan” is listed among required Annexes to the Technical Proposal. However, Section L.7 (e) Part 6 requires the Branding and Marking Plan as part of the Cost Proposal.

● Please confirm whether the Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan is only required to be submitted under the Cost Proposal by the successful Offeror only and upon USAID request?

● Yes, the “Management Structure Chart” is the same as the “organizational chart or exhibit that illustrates the roles of the organizations in program implementation”. (This chart will not count against page limitations),” The Management Structure Chart shall be submitted as an annex to the technical proposal and is not subject to the page limitation.

● Yes, “Project List and Past Performance References” is the same as Past Performance Information Sheet.

● No Branding and Marking Plan should be submitted with the initial proposal.

USAID will request Branding and Marking Plan from Offerors who are determined to be in the competitive range, or the apparent successful Offeror, should no competitive range be established.

62 Section L.6 Page L-5 Section L.6, 2. (a) states that “Offerors are not required to name Armenian long- term staff, other than key personnel, or provide CVs thereto.” This contradicts with further instructions of L.6 (a) and (b) which state that “Offerors must also include in the proposal résumés for all professional personnel (as an Annex).”

Offerors must include in the proposal résumés for all identified professional personnel. The qualifications and experience of personnel, including proposed key and non-key personnel is an evaluation sub-criteria under Criteria 3. Management Plan and

Amendment #0001; Solicitation # 72011121R00002 “Armenia Improved Water Management for Sustainable Economic Growth Program”

● Please confirm that the Offeror is not required to provide resumes for non-key Armenian or expatriate personnel, and that resumes are required for Key Personnel only.

63 Section L.6 Page L-5; Section L.7, Page L-11

● Section L.6, 2., paragraphs (a) and (b) require letters of commitment for Key Personnel to be submitted as part of the Technical Proposal.

Additionally, Section L.7 (f) requires letters of commitment for Key Personnel as part of the Cost Proposal. Could USAID confirm that letters of commitment are only required for Key Personnel under the Technical Proposal.

Confirmed. Letters of Commitment are only required for proposed Key Personnel.

Please follow the instructions under L.6 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF TECHNICAL PROPOSAL; 7. Required Annexes –subject to page limitation:

c) Letter of Commitment for Key Personnel (Limited to one page and does not count against page limit)

64 Section L.6 Page L-6; Section L.7, page L-9 Section L.6 Instructions for Preparation of the Technical Proposal, 3. Past Performance requires the Offeror to describe and demonstrate their organizational experience and submit Past Performance Information Sheet (Attachment #5) as part of the Cost Proposal.

● Could USAID please clarify why Past Performance Information (PPI) Sheet is listed as part of the Cost Proposal submission, whereas Past Performance information will be evaluated as part of the Technical Proposal?

We respectfully request that PPI Sheet be submitted as part of the Technical Proposal and excluded from the overall 30 pages limit for Technical Proposal. Section L.7 Instructions for Preparation and Submission of the Cost/Business Proposal, (d) Part 4 – “Past Performance” paragraphs (a) (1) and (a) (2) require submission of Past Performance Information Sheet (Attachment #5) for contracts not listed in CPARS and with a value between $5 million and $10 million for efforts similar to the work required by this

RFP.

● Could USAID…