NOFO 72011124R00005 Amendment 0001.pdf

Solicitation No.: 72011124R00005 Amendment No.: 0001 Amendment Issuance Date: September 9, 2024 Proposal Closing Date and Time: October 7, 2024 by 1700 Yerevan local time

Subject: Amendment 0001 to Request for Proposals for the Armenia Resilience Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity Contract and Food Security Task Order 1 Providing Answer to Questions Received and Revised RFP Documents

Dear Prospective Offerors:

USAID/Armenia sincerely thanks all offerors who took the time to carefully review the RFP and identified inconsistencies and areas where the RFP could be strengthened.

USAID/Armenia appreciates the questions received. Revisions to the RFP that resulted from addressing the questions have made the RFP a stronger procurement document.

Due to the number of revisions, USAID/Armenia is issuing a revised RFP as part of this amendment. The RFP uses yellow highlights to show revisions (sentences, paragraphs, or tables that had text added or deleted). The Q&A document states whether or not a section was revised in response to a question and in some cases includes information on how a section was revised.

This amendment includes the following revised documents:

- Amendment 0001 Cover Letter

- Amendment 0001 Questions and Answers

- AMENDED Request for Proposals Armenia Resilience IDIQ

- AMENDED Attachment J-1 RFTOP for ARMENIA Food Security Task Order 1

- Attachment J.3.A Registering to Work with USAID (Non-U.S.-based Partners)

- Attachment J.3.B Registering to Work with USAID (U.S.-based Partners)

- AMENDED Attachment J.5 Rates Only Pricing Evaluation (ROPE) Worksheet

- AMENDED Attachment J.7 Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates

If a document from the original RFP is not included in Amendment 0001, it means that document was not revised in any way and remains in its original form.

The proposal closing date and time remains unchanged. It is the responsibility of the Offeror to ensure that the solicitation and/or any amendments to it have been received in their entirety. USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes. Oral instructions, answers or guidance from any USAID source prior to the award of the contract shall not be binding.

Issuance of this amendment in no way obligates USAID to award a contract nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal.

U.S. Agency for International Development Tel: (374-10) 464-700 1 American Avenue Fax: (374-10) 464-728 375082 Yerevan, Armenia

Award of a contract under this RFP is subject to availability of funds and other internal USAID approvals.

Sincerely, Alexis McGinness Supervisory Regional Contracting Officer USAID/Caucasus

(x)

72011124R00005 x x 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

720111

00000 USAID/Armenia

08/26/20240001

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

08/26/2024

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 purpose of this amendment to the solicitation document for Armenia Resilience Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity Contract is to provide questions and answers, the revised RFP and relevant attachments.

---End of Amendment 0001---

Period of Performance: 01/13/2025 to 01/12/2030

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)

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

Alexis McGinness

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 .

Amendment 0001 Questions and Answers NOFO 72011124R00005 Question Number

Document / Section

Question Answer

IDIQ Cover

Letter

On the Cover Page, the RFP states that the “maximum aggregate ordering limitation for the contract will be $95,000,000 over the ordering period” and the “base periods for the IDIQ contract and Task Order 1 will be from the effective dates of the contracts until September 30, 2028, currently estimated to be approximately 44 months” and that “option periods will be from October 1, 2028 until 5 years following the effective dates of the contracts, currently estimated to be approximately 16 months.”

a. Is the $95 million for both the base and option periods?

b. Is there an ordering limitation for the base period?

a. Yes

b. No

IDIQ Cover

Letter

The RFP cover page states “base periods for the IDIQ contract and Task Order 1 will be from the effective dates of the contracts until September 30, 2028, currently estimated to be approximately 44 months. The option periods will be from October 1, 2028 until 5 years following the effective dates of the contracts, currently estimated to be approximately 16 months.”

Please confirm that the option periods for the Task Order will end 5 years following the effective dates of Task Order contracts, and option periods for the IDIQ will end 7 years following the effective dates of the IDIQ contract.

While the total period of performance of the IDIQ (with base and options) is seven years, the ordering period of the IDIQ is five years and task orders can continue up to two years past the expiration of the ordering period in IDIQ. See F.2.ii and F.2.iii of the IDIQ RFP.

3 IDIQ / B.5.a

“The fixed fee ceiling applies to the prime contract and all cost reimbursement subcontracts. Fee for CPIF or CPAF task order types will be negotiated by the TOCO at the time of task order award.”

Question: Could USAID confirm that the 5% fee listed in J.5 is only for evaluation purposes under the ROPE methodology, and that Offerors may propose a different fixed fee ceiling for the IDIQ and TO 01?

USAID confirms that the 5% fee listed in J.5 is only for evaluation purposes under the ROPE methodology. Offerors may propose a different fixed fee ceiling for the IDIQ and TO 01.

IDIQ / B.5.c and TO (J-1)

B.6

Section B.5.c (p. B-2) notes that “For any Task Order issued under this [IDIQ] Contract, at the time of each payment of allowable costs to the contractor, the USAID paying office ordinarily pays the contractor a percentage of fixed fees that directly corresponds to the percentage of allowable costs being paid.” However, Section B.6 of Attachment J-1 (p. J-1-6) stipulates that fixed fee under Task Order 1 will be paid in accordance with a Fee Distribution Schedule to be incorporated into the resulting TO contract. Would USAID please confirm that the Fee Distribution Schedule will be developed with the apparently successful offeror at the time of award? If not, should the Fee Distribution Schedule be included as part of the task order cost proposal?

Section B.6 of the TO was revised.

5 IDIQ / B.7.b

Section B.7.b (pp. B-3 to B-6) holds TCNs to the same compensation limits as CCNs for purposes of establishing CDRs within the IDIQ contract. We respectfully request that TCNs instead be held to CDRs established for USC staff, rather than CCN staff, as offerors may distinguish compensation for TCNs from that of CCNs, in accordance with a contractor’s established policies, procedures, and practices. This distinction is consistent with AIDAR

752.7007 Personnel Compensation, incorporated under Section H.12 (p. H- 4). While we request that USAID allow offerors to propose CDRs for TCNs consistent with those for USCs for purposes of establishing ceiling rates, we acknowledge that compensation for TCNs remains subject to AIDAR 722.170(b), unless Mission Director approval is obtained.

AIDAR 722.170 stipulates that compensation paid to TCNs may not exceed the prevailing compensation paid to personnel performing comparable work in the cooperating country, unless approved by the Mission Director. This is USAID policy. While AIDAR 752.7007 stipulates that contractors compensate personnel in accordance with their policies, it is a contractor's responsibility to ensure that its policies comply with USAID policies.

IDIQ /

B.7.b.1

Section B.7.b.1 (p. B-3) states that “If a new subcontractor is proposed for a specific task order on other than a fixed-price basis, the CDRs set forth below will apply…” Furthermore, Section B.7.d.iii (p. B-8) discusses subcontractors that may have a cost accounting system that only processes fully burdened rates, and states that in these cases, the “The CDRs of the subcontractor must not exceed the prime’s CDRs in the IDIQ contract.”

Subcontractors with cost accounting systems that only process fully burdened rates may not be able to disaggregate salary data within overall labor billings, making it infeasible for the prime to ensure subcontractor salaries fall under the prime’s IDIQ contract CDRs. Would USAID please consider revising these requirements to state that IDIQ CDRs will not apply to subcontractors that have a cost accounting system that only processes fully burdened rates?

If the contractor envisions adding a new subcontractor for a specific task order that is not part of the consortium and that subcontractor has a cost accounting system that only processes fully burdened rates, then the contractor must utilize a fixed price contract type or select a different subcontractor.

IDIQ /

B.7.b.1

Relevant RFP Language: “Each CDR for personnel listed below is ‘unburdened’ and must only include salary costs or consulting rates of the individual providing the services.”

Question: The RFP states that the CDRs will be applicable to both staff salaries and consulting rates of individuals, but a consultant’s rate must pay for costs that are above and beyond what an employee’s salary must cover, such as employer social taxes, insurance, and paid leave. Would USAID consider pegging consulting rates to 25% higher than the CDRs, particularly for the CCN categories?

If the contractor retains the services of a consultant as labor and bills them accordingly, the contractor must utilize the CDRs. The successful contractor may also treat consultants as contractors (in accordance with IRS regulations) and utilize subcontracts to retain consulting services in which case the CDR does not apply.

IDIQ /

B.7.b.2

B.7.b.2 (pp. B-3 to B-6) provides labor category and qualification levels for each category. Recognizing the importance of grants under contract in the initial TO and potential future TOs, would USAID consider adding a mid-level USC category to the grants specialist labor category (p. B-5)?

In B.7 and Attachment J.7, a mid-level USC grants specialist labor category was added . In addition, a mid level USC position was added for the MEL Specialist Labor Category.

IDIQ /

B.7.b.2

Regarding the unburdened CDR table from Section B.7(b) on pages B-3 to B- 6, would USAID please consider adding the following qualification levels under the respective labor categories?

a. Senior Level USC under the Gender/Inclusive Development Expert/Specialist labor category on page B-5.

b. Junior Level CCN/TCN under the Digital Development/Information Technology Expert/Specialist labor category on page B-5.

c. Senior Level and Mid Level USC under the Grants Specialist labor category as specified on page B-5.

d. Mid Level USC and Junior Level CCN/TCN under the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist labor category on pages B-5 and B-6.

e. Senior Level USC under the Operations (Finance, Administration, Contracts, Procurements, Communications, and similar) labor category on page B-6.

a. This was added.

b. This was not added since Junior level positions were removed.

c. These were added.

d. Mid level USC was added, junior was not.

e. This was added.

IDIQ /

B.7.b.2

Page B-3, Section B.7, the RFP states that the “single unburdened ceiling daily rate for each labor category/group below represents the mid-level and senior level rate in each category/grouping.”

However, Page B-6, in the table of labor category/grouping, Mid-level USC is only listed for Operations (Finance, Administration, Contracts, Procurements, Communications, and similar). And on Page B-5, in the table of labor category/grouping, there are no USC qualification levels listed for Grants Specialist.

Implementation of Task Order 1 and potential future task orders issued under this IDIQ will need to be responsive to Armenia's complex and changing operating environment. Given the potential scale and complexity of these task orders, senior level USC operations and grants experience may be required to support teams during start-up, early implementation years, and/or to build local expertise and capacity.

a. Would USAID please confirm that offerors may include a row for Senior level USC in the Operations labor category?

b. If not, in order for the contract to provide more flexibility under task orders, would USAID please confirm that offerors may submit a waiver for Senior level USC Operations labor?

c. Would USAID please confirm that offerors may include mid and senior qualification levels for USC in the Grants Specialist labor category?

a. This was added.

b. Not applicable, since it was added.

c. These were added.

d. Not applicable, since it was added.

IDIQ /

B.7.b.2

Section B.7(b)(2) on page B-3 states, “The single unburdened ceiling daily rate (CDR) for each labor category/group below represents the mid-level and senior level rate in each category/grouping. One unburdened ceiling daily rate for each labor category/grouping is included in the contract to provide more flexibility under task orders. If junior-level personnel are required under task orders, they must be proposed at rates below the unburdened ceiling daily rate.” Would USAID kindly confirm whether the term “junior-level personnel” refers solely to USN personnel, considering that the CDR schedule encompasses junior-level CCNs? Alternatively, would USAID contemplate excluding the junior-level CCN qualification level from the CDR schedule?

The CDR table was revised as well as attachment J- 7.

IDIQ /

B.7.b.2

Section B.7.b.2, Note 4 (p. B-6) provides that: “Other positions not included above that are of a non-professional nature, e.g. administrative assistant, receptionists, drivers, cleaners) must be included as an Other Direct Cost.”

Will USAID please confirm that offerors should follow their cost accounting standards when engaging non-professional labor, such as those noted in B.7.b.2, and when billing those costs and any applicable fringe benefits or indirect rates?

Note 4 was revised.

IDIQ /

B.7.b.2

Section B.7(b), IDIQ Labor Unburdened Ceiling Daily Rates (CDR), states in Note 4 that “other positions not included above that are of a non-professional nature, e.g. administrative assistant, receptionists, drivers, cleaners) must be included as an Other Direct Cost” in the budget.

Would USAID consider allowing these non-professional positions to be included in the salaries and wages section of the budget with applicable fringe and indirect charges applied as required by an Offeror’s NICRA?

Note 4 was revised.

IDIQ /

B.7.b.2

Relevant RFP Language: “Note 4: Other positions not included above that are of a non-professional nature, e.g. administrative assistant, receptionists, drivers, cleaners) must be included as an Other Direct Cost.”

Question: Offerors’ NICRA structures vary on how to treat certain costs, such as non-professional labor. Can the offerors include the non-professional staff in the labor section if that is how their NICRA is structured?

Note 4 was revised.

IDIQ /

B.7.b.2

Note 4 of the unburdened CDR table from Section B.7(b) on page B-6 states, “Other positions not included above that are of a non-professional nature (e.g., administrative assistant, receptionist, drivers, cleaners) must be included as an Other Direct Cost.” Would USAID please confirm that an Offeror may budget these and similar positions under Salaries & Wages, provided it aligns with the established policies and practices of the Offeror?

Note 4 was revised.

16 IDIQ / B.7.c

Per Section B.7, IDIQ Labor, Page B-7, would USAID consider modifying the table of equivalencies for key personnel to widen the pool of prospective candidates particularly CCNs? For example, a reduction in the years of experience required in lieu of a degree by 5 years at the senior and expatriate levels such that senior level expatriates require 20 years of experience (instead of 25), midlevel expatriates require 10 years of experience (instead of 15), senior level CCNs require 20 years (instead of 25), and midlevel CCNs require 10 years (instead of 15).

No, but the section was revised to provide flexibility.

17 IDIQ / B.7.c

Regarding the table in Section B.7(c) on page B-7, the minimum qualifications for all three CCN levels surpass those for comparable USAID FSN Grades as listed in the General Grade Level Guides. Specifically, those for Mid Level surpass those for FSN-12, which is described as “the highest of three levels of professional or specialist positions and the highest grade in the Interagency Foreign Service National Position Classification Plan,” and those for Junior Level CCN are on par with those for FSN-10, which is described as “the lowest of three levels of professional or specialist positions.” Similarly, the minimum qualifications for Senior Level CCN far exceed those for FSN-12, the highest grade on the scale. In most instances, USAID Missions classify FSN Grades 10–12 (or higher, if applicable) as Senior Level, FSN Grades 7–9 as Mid Level, and FSN Grades 5–7 as Junior Level.

a. Would USAID please consider revising the minimum qualifications for the three CCN levels to be in alignment with those for comparable FSN grades?

b. Alternatively, should the minimum qualifications remain the same, please confirm the following reference FSN grades for each CCN level:

i. Senior Level – significantly above the FSN scale (>FSN-12);

ii. Mid Level – modestly above FSN-12; and

iii. Junior Level – FSN-10.

The requirements were revised.

18 IDIQ / B.7.e

Relevant RFP Language: “The labor rates are fixed for all contract years;

however, the Contractor may submit a proposal reducing the labor rates at any time during the life of this contract. The Government will review these proposals and determine if the revised rates are realistic and in the best interests of the Government. If the rates are accepted, the Government will modify the contract by incorporating the new rates into the contract.”

Question: The CDR table requires ceiling rates for both US and CCN/TCN staff and consultants for up to 7 years. CCN rates will be at risk of both inflation and currency exchange rate fluctuations, both completely out of a Contractor’s control, however, B.7 (e) only allows a mechanism for a Contractor to reduce its future CDRs. This could present a serious delivery risk for USAID and the Contractor if market forces make the CDRs for CCNs untenable in the future to attract or retain talent. We request that the word “reducing” be switched to “changing,” as it may be in the Government’s interest to either reduce or increase a CDR in the future.

B.7.e was revised.

IDIQ /

Section C.3

Section L.6, Understanding of Technical Requirements and Implementation Environment (IDIQ), states that Offerors must analyze “three of the key systems in section C.” Section C.3, Goal and Objectives of the IDIQ, lists “water resource management” as a key system, while Section C.4.2, Key Systems, does not include water resource management.

Could USAID confirm that Offerors may provide a SWOT analysis focused on water resource management?

C.3 was revised to remove water resource management as a system.

IDIQ /

Section C.6

Per Section C.6 Digital Strategy and Use of Information Technologies on page C-5, the RFP notes, “The Contractor must avoid vendor lock-in for digital solutions.” Would USAID please confirm that “vendor lock-in” refers to a situation in which a customer using a product or service cannot easily transition to a competitor’s product or service?

USAID confirms that "vendor lock-in" refers to a situation when a customer is dependent on a single vendor product or service, making it difficult and expensive to switch to another vendor. The software developed by partners with U.S. taxpayer funds for the purposes of development and humanitarian assistance should be consistent with the goals of sustainability and re-use, to allow for interoperability and customization of these platforms in a way that reduces waste and vendor lock-in.

IDIQ /

Section C.7

In Section C.7 (page C-6), the RFP states that “The Contractor must identify and propose local organizations that will play a key role for the implementation of sustainable solutions under each task order. The Contractor must demonstrate an approach to the use of local entities and professionals in significant roles to facilitate future transfer of knowledge, skills, and abilities.” Would USAID like to see this approach to using local organizations in the Task Order’s Technical Approach or Management Plan?

Offerors must address this in the management plan. L.6.b.ii.8 was revised accordingly.

IDIQ /

Section C.7

Per Section C.7 Sustainability and Maximizing Use of Local Systems on page C-6, the RFP states that “The Contractor must identify and propose local organizations that will play a key role for the implementation of sustainable solutions under each task order.” Would USAID please confirm these local organizations are illustrative as the ultimate scope of work for future task orders is still unknown?

Other than in the context of TO1 (see question 21), USAID confirms that these are illustrative.

IDIQ /

Section C.9

Page C-7, Section C.9, the RFP states that the “Contractor must develop a high-level IDIQ Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (MELP) that includes the IDIQ contract’s theory of change and results framework, a core set of IDIQ indicators, and other context. It will be supplemented by task order-specific MELPs that will have standard and custom indicators.”

a. Would USAID please confirm that the “IDIQ contract theory of change and results framework” is intended to be developed in the MELP post-award?

b. Would USAID please confirm that any theories of change and results frameworks under the contract are intended to be specific to individual task orders (such as for Task Order 1)?

a. USAID confirms that the “IDIQ contract theory of change and results framework” will be developed in the MELP post-award.

b. Every task order will have its own theory of change and results framework.

IDIQ /

Section C.9

Per Section C.9, page C-7, Scope of Work; Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning and Adaptive Management, can USAID please clarify if that the overall MEL approach should be included in the Management and Staffing Plan section of the Technical Proposal?

The MEL and AM plan that is required for the IDIQ is due after contract award; it is not part of the proposal (either IDIQ or TO). Similarlly, the TO AMEL Plan (TO F.6.1.) is not submitted with the proposal, but submitted after award

25 IDIQ / F.6

The table in Section F.6 IDIQ Reports and Deliverables or Outputs, page F-3, notes that the IDIQ Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning (MEL) Plan is due 90 days after contract award. However, in Attachment J-1, Section F.6.1 List of Reports and Deliverables, page J-1-13, the Task Order 1 Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (AMELP) is due 75 days after award. Would you USAID please consider changing the AMELP due date to the same as that of the IDIQ MEL Plan or later?

F.6 of the IDIQ was revised.

IDIQ /

F.7.7.b

Relevant RFP Language: “Cost-reimbursement proposals must be submitted in accordance with FAR Part 52.215-20, Requirements for Certified Cost or Pricing Data or Data Other Than Certified Cost or Pricing Data.”

Question: As the base IDIQ Contract and Task Order 01 are being procured with adequate price competition, thus meeting the exception listed under 15.403-1 (c)(1)(i)(A), and future TOs will largely be based on continuing similar activities and costs as TO 01, thus meeting the exception listed under 15.403-1 (c)(1)(ii)(B), would USAID kindly remove the requirement that Cost-reimbursement proposals be submitted with Certified Cost or Pricing Data?

No, because it is a FAR requirement and such data will be required for future task orders.

27 IDIQ / H.4.a

In H.4.a.ii-v (p. H-1), since the contractor’s GUC processes will be contained in the CO-approved IDIQ GUC manual, would USAID consider removing the requirement in H.4.a.ii-v to submit this information again in each request for grant approval? In addition, since the approved GUC manual will also include the process for conducting the pre-award risk assessment, can this requirement be eliminated in H.4.b (p. H-2)?

H.4.a and H.4.b will not be revised. The requirements for the SOW (H.4.a) and risk mitigation plan (H.4.b) will also differ from grant to grant. As such, it is imperative this information is submitted specific to each GUC.

28 IDIQ / H.4.a

Section B.5, Fixed Fee Ceiling, states that “GUCs have not been approved at the IDIQ level only at the task order level.” USAID later states in Section H.4, Considerations for Grants Under Contract, that “Unless otherwise directed by the CO, the COR will have the authority in the grant selection process and provide approval for each award.”

Could USAID please clarify whether the COR will have authority in grant selection processes, or if this is solely the authority of the TOCO/TOCOR?

H.4.a was revised.

29 IDIQ / H.12

Section H.12(a) on page H-4 states, “The contractor must submit a compensation plan by the date specified in Section F or as directed by the CO.” However, Section F does not provide a date or reference a compensation plan. Would USAID please verify that a compensation plan is not required to be included with the cost proposal, but rather it is to be submitted post-award by the successful Offeror?

H.12 (a) was revised. A compensation plan is not required to be included with the cost proposal and will be required only from the successful offeror after award.

30 IDIQ / H.20

Section H.20, Publications, Videos, or Other Information Media Products, states that “all digital content to promote the activity…must be provided to the COR and the DOC team and distributed via the official USAID/Georgia social media platforms.”

Could USAID please confirm that USAID/Georgia should be replaced with USAID/Armenia?

H.20 was revised.

31 IDIQ / K.1

Section K.1 on page K-1 includes FAR 52.237-8 – Restriction on Severance Payments incorporated as reference. Would USAID please consider removing this clause or adding FAR 52.237-9, Waiver of Limitation on Severance Payments to Foreign Nationals, considering severance payments are legally required for Armenian nationals?

No, but severance is still an allowable cost in accordance with FAR 31.205-6.

32 IDIQ / L.6.a

Page L-3, Section L.5, the RFP describes USAID’s “preference is that each technical and each cost proposal be submitted as a single email attachment, e.g., that you consolidate the various parts of a technical proposal into a single document before sending it.” Whereas, on page L-4, Section L.6, the RFP states that the proposal “must be submitted in Word and combined into a single, searchable PDF.”

a. Would USAID confirm offerors are to submit the technical proposal as a single PDF attachment?

b. Would USAID confirm that offerors are to submit the cost proposal as a PDF attachment and budget as an Excel attachment?

a. L.6.a was revised.

b. USAID confirms that offerors are to submit the cost proposal as a PDF attachment and budget as an Excel attachment.

33 IDIQ / L.6.a

Per Section L.6 Instructions for the Preparation of the Proposal, Page L-4, “The technical proposal must be submitted in Word and combined into a single, searchable PDF.” Could USAID please confirm submission should include two copies of the technical proposal, one (1) in Word format and a second copy (2) in a PDF format?

L.6.a was revised.

34 IDIQ / L.6.b.i

Relevant RFP Language: “The sections of the technical proposal are specified below with page limitations applicable to each section.”

Question: Would USAID kindly allow offerors to include a 2-page Executive Summary in the Content of the Technical Proposal?

No.

IDIQ /

L.6.b.ii.4

Per Section L.6, page L-5, USAID requests a SWOT analysis on the “Food Security and Food Production” system. Does USAID require the analysis to focus on staple crops or all agricultural production more broadly?

This is for offerors to decide.

IDIQ /

L.6.b.ii.6

Per Section L.6, page L-6, for the Localization and Sustainability Plan, the RFP states “Describe the offeror’s systems approach to achieving localization and sustainability [at the task order level] in order to achieve the overall goal of the IDIQ set forth in Section C.3.” Should this be tailored to the Food Security Task Order, or is this a broader systems approach to localization for all potential, future Task Orders under the Resilience IDIQ?

This is an offeror's broader systems approach to localization for all potential, future Task Orders under the Resilience IDIQ.

IDIQ /

L.6.b.ii.6

Per Section L.6, Page L-6, the “Localization and Sustainability Plan,” instructions state “by selecting one key system from the IDIQ’s Section C (other than food security), detail the offeror's systems approach that will successfully ensure sustainability of the selected key system.” Please clarify if offerors may select any key system from the IDIQ's Section C or must use one of the key systems represented in the SWOT analyses (per instructions on Page L-5.)

Offerors may select any key system from the IDIQ's Section C.

IDIQ /

L.6.b.ii.6

In Section L.6(b) Part 6 Localization and Sustainability Plan, can USAID kindly confirm that this section should describe systems approaches to achieving localization and sustainability [at the task order level] broadly across the IDIQ rather than for the Food Security Task Order, specifically?

USAID confirms that this section should describe systems approaches to achieving localization and sustainability at the task order level broadly across the IDIQ.

IDIQ /

L.6.b.ii.7

Per Section L.6, page L-7, the RFP states that “Offerors’ technical approach must describe the offeror's plans to achieve the task order’s expected outcomes and results in Section C of the Food Security task order.” The Food Security Task Order does not reference specific results or indicators.

Does USAID require Offerors to propose quantitative results and indicators?

Offerors are not required to propose quantitative results and indicators.

IDIQ /

L.6.b.ii.7

Per Section L.6, Page L-7 states “A GANTT-type chart demonstrating the timeline for the Year 1 Work Plan interventions may be presented on an 11" x 17" sheet (2-page limit; does not count toward the 8-page limit).” Can USAID please confirm this GANTT chart should be included in Annex A, Year 1 Work Plan?

USAID confirms that this GANTT chart is part of Annex A - Year 1 Work Plan. L.6.b.ii.7 was revised.

IDIQ /

L.6.b.ii.8

Attachment J-1, Section F.7 (pp. J-1-23 to J-1-26), lists four key personnel with minimum qualifications for the anticipated Armenia Food Security Task Order. Given this inclusion, would USAID consider removing the requirement to present key personnel minimum qualifications in Section L.6.8, Management and Staffing Plan (TO) (p. L-7)?

L.6.b.ii.8 was revised.

IDIQ /

L.6.b.ii.8

Attachment J-1, Section F.7, Key Personnel, lists “four key personnel whom the Contractor must furnish for the performance of the initial Armenia Food Security task order Contract. This includes the Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party/Component #2 Lead, Component #1 Lead, and Component #3 Lead.” Section L.6 (b) ii. 8., Management and Staffing Plan (TO), states that “offerors must propose up to four key personnel positions and for each position, provide the responsibilities and minimum position qualifications.”

Could USAID please confirm that Offerors should include the four key personnel positions listed in Attachment J-1, Section F.7?

L.6.b.ii.8 was revised.

IDIQ /

L.6.b.ii.8

Relevant RFP Language: “Offerors must propose up to four key personnel positions and for each position, provide the responsibilities and minimum position qualifications.”

RFP Reference: Attachment J-1, Section F.7 Page Number: J-1, 24-26 Relevant RFP Language: “Qualifications”

Question a: The instructions for the Staffing Plan on page L-7 require offerors to propose key personnel positions along with responsibilities and minimum qualifications for each position. However, Section F.7 of Attachment J-1 designates the four key personnel positions for the task order and includes required responsibilities and minimum qualifications for each position. Therefore, would USAID kindly amend Section L.6.b.ii.8 to delete the requirement for offerors to propose key personnel positions along with responsibilities and minimum qualifications for each position?

Question b: If the requirement to include responsibilities and minimum qualifications for each key personnel position remains, would USAID allow offerors to include that information in Annex B: Organizational Chart on an additional 2 pages?

a. L.6.b.ii.8 was revised.

b. The requirements were removed.

IDIQ /

L.6.b.ii.8

In Section 8 Management and Staffing Plan (TO) on page L-7, USAID states that the “Offerors must propose up to four key personnel positions and for each position, provide the responsibilities and minimum position qualifications.” However, in Attachment J-1 Section F.7 Key Personnel on page J-1-24, the RFTOP lists “the four key personnel whom the Contractor must furnish” and provides the responsibilities and minimum qualifications.

Would USAID please confirm that the Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party/Component #2 Lead, Component #1 Lead, and Component #3 Lead are the key personnel that must be presented?

L.6.b.ii.8 was revised.

IDIQ /

L.6.b.ii.8

Section L.6 (b) ii. 8. Management and Staffing Plan (TO) states that the Offeror must “describe the proposed staffing structure” and “demonstrate how the structure aligns with the technical approach and work plan.”

Attachment J.5, ROPE Worksheet outlines an illustrative staffing plan for Task Order 1.

Could USAID please confirm that Offerors may present a Task Order 1 staffing structure in the Technical Proposal (Management and Staffing Plan) and Cost/Business Proposal (II. Task Order 1, Part 1 – Proposed Costs) that differs from the illustrative staffing plan in the ROPE Worksheet and that aligns with the Offeror’s technical approach and work plan?

USAID confirms that offerors may present a Task Order 1 staffing structure that differs from the illustrative staffing plan in the ROPE Worksheet.

IDIQ /

L.6.b.ii.8

In Attachment J.5 and the ROPE worksheet, USAID provides a list of staff positions and matching labor categories for the Food Security Task Order.

However, the organizational chart instructions on page L-8 request that the Offeror “must evidence how their management and staffing plan will effectively and efficiently the offerors’ task order technical approach and work plan and deliver the expected outcomes.” Can USAID confirm if all positions listed on the ROPE worksheet are required to be reflected in the organizational chart or if Offerors can propose a staffing structure that aligns with their technical and implementation approaches?

Positions listed in the ROPE worksheet are not required to be reflected in offerors' organizational charts. Offerors can - and should -propose a staffing structure that aligns with their technical and implementation approaches.

47 IDIQ / L.7

Section L.7 (pp. L-8 to L-17). USAID requests that the IDIQ contain Parts 1-10, and the TO contain Parts 1 and 2. Would USAID please clarify if offerors should submit the IDIQ and TO cost proposals as separate documents or as one document. If one document, would USAID accept renumbering the TO proposed costs as Part 11, and the TO branding and marking plan as Part 12?

Offerors must submit one document, consisting of two sections (I - IDIQ and II - Task Order) and use the serial stated in the RFP for the parts under each section.

48 IDIQ / L.7

Page L-4, Section L.6(a), the RFP states that offerors “must use Times New Roman or Calibri fonts, font size 11-12” and “may use font size 10 for text in graphs, charts, tables, and text boxes, so long as the text is legible.”

Page L-8, Section L.7, the RFP states that cost proposals must use “12-point Calibri font size (10-point font in charts, graphs and tables is acceptable).”

a. Would USAID clarify if offerors may present text in 11-point font in the cost proposal?

b.Would USAID clarify if offerors may present text boxes in 10-point font in the cost proposal?

a. L.7 was revised.

b. L.7 was revised.

49 IDIQ / L.7

Page L-8, Section L.7, the RFP states that “budget tables must be submitted in both PDF as well as MS Excel format files with cell formulas unlocked.”

May offerors use A3 (11x17) page size for the PDF of the budget tables?

Offerors may use A3 (11x17) page size for the PDF of the budget tables.

IDIQ / L.7.I

Part 1

Per Section L.7, page L-8 of the RFP states “Offerors must submit the cover page (Section A) of this Solicitation [Standard Form (SF) 33, "Solicitation, Offer, and Award"], with blocks 12 through 18 completed, with an original signature of a person authorized on behalf of the Offeror to sign the offer.”

Could USAID please confirm electronic signature is also acceptable?

L.7.I. Part 1 was revised.

IDIQ / L.7.I

Part 2

Per Section L.7.I.Part 2 (pp. L-8 to L-9), CCN and TCN labor under this contract is governed by the local compensation limitations. “Offerors are reminded that per AIDAR 722.170(b), compensation paid to Third Country Nationals (TCN) and Cooperating Country Nationals (CCN) may not exceed the prevailing compensation paid to personnel performing comparable work in the cooperating country, without prior approval of the Mission Director.”

We respectfully request that these salary restrictions be removed from the RFP as it appears to be inconsistent with AIDAR 752.7007 Personnel Compensation, which is incorporated into the contract under Section H.12

(p. H-4). AIDAR 752.7007 stipulates that personnel compensation be in accordance with the contractor’s established policies, procedures, and practices, with reimbursement subject only to the USAID Contractor Salary Threshold. Restricting CCN and TCN salaries to the local compensation plan may preclude contractors from following their established policies, procedures, and practices, as required by AIDAR 752.7007.

AIDAR 722.170 stipulates that compensation paid to TCNs may not exceed the prevailing compensation paid to personnel performing comparable work in the cooperating country, unless approved by the Mission Director. This is USAID policy. While AIDAR 752.7007 stipulates that contractors compensate personnel in accordance with their policies, it is a contractor's responsibility to ensure that its policies comply with USAID policies.

IDIQ / L.7.I

Part 2

Page L-9, Section L.7, Part 2, the RPF states that “Third Country Nationals (TCN) and Cooperating Country Nationals (CCN) may not exceed the prevailing compensation paid to personnel performing comparable work in the cooperating country, without prior approval of the Mission Director.”

Would USAID confirm that offerors may request waivers to propose salary rates for TCNs that are above established salary rates for comparable work of CCNs?

USAID confirm that offerors may request waivers to propose salary rates for TCNs that are above established salary rates for comparable work of CCNs, but approval requests for rates above the approved CDRs will not be considered.

IDIQ / L.7.I

Part 2

Relevant RFP Language: “The USAID/Armenia local compensation plan (LCP), summarized below, can be used as part of the Offeror’s market research and for establishing appropriate salary ranges for each position.

Position Type Pay Range (USD)

Question: Could USAID confirm that CCN employees are to be paid in AMD?

USAID confirms that CCN employees are to be paid in AMD. The range is provided for informational purposes and its denomination does not affect the requirement to pay in AMD.

IDIQ / L.7.I

Part 3

Page L-9, Section L.7, Part 3, the RFP states that offerors “must fill out the yellow highlighted cells in Attachment J.5” and that using “information provided in Attachment J.5, USAID with apply the ROPE method, by using the estimated Level of Effort (LOE) from USAID/Armenia’s internal Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) prepared for Task Order 1.”

Page M-2, Section M.3, the RFP states that “Solely for the purpose of evaluating cost for the IDIQ, USAID will utilize the Rates Only Pricing Evaluation (ROPE) method.”

a. Would USAID confirm that Attachment J.5 is only required for the Task Order 1 budget?

b. Would USAID confirm that the offeror is not to submit an Attachment J.5 for the IDIQ?

a. and b. Offerors will submit only one Attachment J.5. Evaluation for the IDIQ will be done using specific information from the task order.

IDIQ / L.7.I

Part 3

Page L-9, Section L.7, Part 3, the RFP states that offerors must “must fill out the yellow highlighted cells in Attachment J.5 by adding their unburdened ceiling daily rates (CDR) and their indirects.”

a. Would USAID confirm that the detailed rows and plug figures provided in the Attachment J.5 template ($388,000 for ‘Travel, Transportation and Per Diem’, $500,000 for all ‘Other Direct Costs’, $120,000 for ‘Equipment, and $60,000 for ‘Supplies’) are illustrative?

b. Would USAID confirm that the Attachment J.5 is for the offerors to detail line items that mirror the Task Order 1 Technical and Management and Staffing Plan?

a. The plug figures in J.5 are being used by USAID for the purpose of evaluating cost using the ROPE approach only. Offerors must not change the plug figures in Attachment J.5. These plug figures do not pertain and should not be used by offerors in their task order 1 budget.

b. Attachment J.5 is not for offerors to detail line items that mirror their task order 1 technical and management and staffing plan.

IDIQ / L.7.I

Part 3

Footnote 1 under Part 3 of Section L.7.I on page L-9 states, “… prior to the issuance of the solicitation, the Government creates a realistic estimated number of hours or a scenario of the labor categories or CLINs to evaluate pricing. In contrast to typical practice, the Government does not share the number of hours with the vendors. Instead, the Government asks vendors to submit only the rates, for the price submission factor, of the requested labor categories for the parent award, using the same scenario or estimate for all price evaluations. The submitted rates by the vendors are evaluated by the Government and inputted into the estimated hours or scenario to come up with the total evaluated price for each vendor. The total …” Would USAID please provide further clarification on how it will ensure that using the same estimated hours or scenario will not lead to overestimated labor costs for Offerors that recover the cost of paid absences via fringe benefits or underestimated labor costs for Offerors that direct bill the cost of paid absences?

USAID appreciates this question and thanks the offeror for raising this point. L.7.I Part 3 was revised to explain how USAID will ensure that offerors are treated equally and fairly regardless of whether they direct bill paid absence or recover that cost through an indirect rate. As stated in L.7.I Part 3, Attachment J-5 was also revised.

IDIQ / L.7.I

Part 5

Section L.7(I) Part 4 – Letters of Commitment (Subcontractors) and Part 5 – Subcontractor Information both require letters from each proposed subcontractor, indicating the subcontractor's agreement to be included in the Offeror’s proposed teaming arrangement.

Would USAID please remove this requirement from Part 5?

L.7.I Part 5 (a) was removed.

IDIQ / L.7.I

Part 5

Page L-9, Section L.7, Part 4, the RFP states that the cost proposal “must include a letter, on subcontractor letterhead, and signed by an authorized representative of each subcontractor.”

Page L-10, Section L.7, Part 5, the RFP states that a “letter, on subcontractor letterhead, and signed by an authorized representative of each subcontractor” must be provided.

May offerors eliminate the subcontractors’ letter of commitment in Part 5(a), as it is already required in Part 4?

L.7.I Part 5 (a) was removed.

IDIQ / L.7.I

Part 5

Section L.7(I) Part 5 – Subcontractor Information, states that Offerors must include “a discussion and arrangement on types of subcontracts to be used and approximate percentage of each type of work to be subcontracted.”

Because anticipated work at the IDIQ level is not yet known, would USAID consider removing the requirement that approximate percentages of each type of work be included?

L.7.I Part 5 (b) was revised.

IDIQ / L.7.I.

Part 8

L.7.I.Part 8.d.3.B (p. L-12) instructs offerors to submit a list of contracts with eSRS reports to allow USAID to assess small business performance. Would USAID please confirm that offerors can submit a specific number of eSRS submissions (for example, up to five)?

L.7.I.Part 8.d.3.B (p. L-12) was revised.

IDIQ / L.7.I.

Part 8

Relevant RFP Language: “All past performance information must be for acquisition (contracts) and each past performance reference must be available in the Contract Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) for retrieval by USAID.”

Question: Would USAID kindly allow offerors to submit past performance information for cooperative agreements (grants)?

No, the nature of the work being procured is of a specific nature, i.e. acquisition. As such, it is imperative that the successful offeror establishes its ability to manage contracts of the IDIQ's technical scope.

IDIQ / L.7.II.

Part 1

Per Section L.7, page L-12 states “Offerors must fill in all parts of Section B where “TBD” or “to be filled in at the time of award” is indicated;

specifically, Offerors must fill in Section B.3 of the RFTOP for Task Order 1 included in Attachment J.1 with the information applicable to the cost proposal.” Could USAID please confirm that Offerors can leave B.3 (b) and

(c) blank since they are related to obligated amount?

L.7.II Part 1 was revised.

IDIQ / L.7.II.

Part 1

17. Per Section L.7, page L-15, USAID provided budget plug figures for several cost line items, as summarized in the table below. These figures exceed 50% of the total estimated Task Order budget, coupled with a reasonable estimate of direct salaries and benefits per Attachment J.5. The table below does not include several necessary cost categories to implement and manage an activity of this size and complexity:

USAID-provided plug for Consultants $1,072,160 USAID-provided plug for Grants Under Contract $5,340,000 USAID-provided plug for ANAU $4,000,000 USAID-provided plug for “Programmatic Interventions” $4,800,000

TOTAL $15,212,160

This highly prescribed structure leaves minimal funding for additional, reasonable costs required to responsibly manage an activity of this complexity. These include but are not limited to other subcontractors, travel, office running costs, procurement, ODCs, indirect costs, and fee.

Preclusion of these budget items is not compatible with the contract mechanism USAID has selected for this activity, as it would prevent contractors from designing an adequate approach, determining the most effective mechanisms to achieve results, adequately managing risk, or recovering reasonable and allowable costs required to implement the contract. Will USAID consider permitting more flexibility in the nature and/or value of the plug figures included in L.7?

USAID rspectfully disagrees with this statement.

Given that these are plug figures for proposal purposes; the plug…