RFP_72011519R00004_Amendment_01.pdf

RFP 72011519R00004

Amendment 0001 Eliminating Tuberculosis in Central Asia (ETICA)

The solicitation is revised as follows:

1. Sections B.1 (page 6) and D.4 (page 11) REPLACE “USAID Expanding Tuberculosis Identification, Treatment, and Prevention in Central Asia (TB-CA) Activity” with “USAID Eliminating Tuberculosis in Central Asia (ETICA).” Additionally, all such references are replaced, accordingly.

2. Section F.7.1, Schedule, page 23, DELETE the following 1st and 2nd Quarter deliverables for Year 1, as follows:

DELIVERABLES DELIVERY SCHEDULE

FEE AMOUNT

VERIFICATION

METHOD

Deliverables for Year 1 (Q1) 90% DR-TB cases diagnosed /1

Within 30 calendar days after the end of USG fiscal quarter.

COR Approval

(Q1) 90% DR-TB cases enrolled /2

Within 30 calendar days after the end of USG fiscal quarter.

COR Approval

(Q2) 90% DR-TB cases diagnosed /1

Within 30 calendar days after the end of USG fiscal quarter.

COR Approval

(Q2) 90% DR-TB cases enrolled /2

Within 30 calendar days after the end of USG fiscal quarter.

COR Approval

3. Section F.8(a), 2nd sentence, REVISED to say, “Accordingly, the contractor’s key personnel must provide full-time performance of this contract unless otherwise agreed by the Contracting Officer.”

4. Section L.6(b), page 85, under Technical Proposal, DELETE “3. Contractor Past

Performance Information. (Not included in page limit.).” Similarly, L.6(c)3, page 88-89, Contractor Past Performance Information is DELETED in its entirety and ADDED to Annex 4: Past Performance Information, as follows:

“i. The Offeror (including all partners of a joint venture) must provide performance information for itself and each major subcontractor (one whose proposed cost exceeds 25% of the Offeror’s total proposed cost) in accordance with the following:

a. List in an annex to the technical proposal up to five (5) of the most recent (active or ended no more than 3 years ago) and relevant contracts/agreements for efforts similar to the work in the subject proposal for the Offeror and up to (3) three for each major subcontractor using the template provided in Attachment J.5. The most relevant indicators of performance are contracts of similar scope, size, geographic coverage and/or complexity set forth in the cost proposal. Note:

USAID neither requests nor desires exclusivity agreements between contractors and proposed personnel.

b. For all contracts listed above that are not in CPARS, provide a list of contact names, job titles, mailing addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, explanation of relevance to the proposed acquisition and a description of the performance to include:

(1) Scope of work or complexity/diversity of tasks;

(2) Primary location(s) of work;

(3) Period of performance;

(4) Skills/expertise required;

(5) Dollar value; and

(6) Contract type, i.e., fixed-price, cost reimbursement, etc.

Note: USAID recommends that the Offeror alert the contacts that their names have been submitted and that they are authorized to provide performance information concerning the listed contracts if and when USAID requests it.

ii. If extraordinary problems impacted any of the referenced contracts, provide a short explanation and the corrective action taken (FAR 15.305(a)(2)).

iii. Describe any quality awards or certifications that indicate exceptional capacity to provide the service or product described in the statement of work. This information may be included in an annex and is not included in the page limitation.

iv. Performance in using Small Business (SB) Concerns (as defined in FAR 19.001)

a. This section is not applicable to offers from small business concerns.

b. As part of the evaluation of performance in Section M of this solicitation, USAID will evaluate the extent the Offeror used and promoted the use of SB concerns under current and prior contracts. The evaluation will assess the extent SB concerns participated in these contracts relative to the size/value of the contracts, the complexity and variety of the work SB concerns performed, and compliance with your SB subcontracting plan or other similar SB incentive programs set out in your contract(s).

c. In order for USAID to fully and fairly evaluate performance in this area, all Offerors who are not SB concerns must do the following:

Provide a narrative summary of your organization's use of small business concerns over the past three years. Describe how you actually use small businesses--as subcontractors, as joint venture partners, through other teaming arrangements, etc. Explain the nature of the work small businesses performed- -substantive technical professional services, administrative support, logistics support, etc. Describe the extent of your compliance with your SB subcontracting plan(s) or other similar SB incentive programs set out in your contract(s) and explain any mitigating circumstances if goals were not achieved.

To supplement the narrative summary in (A), provide a list of contracts over the past 3 years for which you submitted subcontract reports to eSRS (FAR 52.219- 9(d)(10)) and a copy of up to 10 similarly recent subcontracting reports if they were not submitted to eSRS. Provide the names and addresses of three SB concerns for us to contact for their assessment of your performance in using SB concerns. Provide a brief summary of the type of work each SB concern provided to your organization, and the name of a contact person, his/her title, phone number, and email address for each.”

5. Section L.6(a), page 86, all references to “30-page” limitation or limit is REVISED to say “25-page”.

6. Section L.6(c)1, page 86, 2nd paragraph, 2nd sentence, “work breakdown structure” is deleted and the sentence is REVISED as follows:

“The Offeror must use the SOO, together with other applicable portions of this RFP, as the basis for preparing the proposal, including the PWS and the QASP.”

7. Section L.6(d), page 89, ADD Annex 5:

“Annex 5: Resumes, references and letters of commitment for proposed key personnel In addition, for each key personnel listed, please include the resume for the individual.

Each resume must be limited to 3 pages and include 3 references.

Resumes should, at a minimum, include the following:

Experience in developing countries and the extent of participation and level of responsibility undertaken in similar support work during the last 10 years.

Appropriateness of technical backgrounds and academic credentials.

The individuals’ language capabilities.

The work experience will be presented chronologically and should contain sufficient details to enable the technical review team to evaluate the qualifications and experience.

The resumes should include the name, telephone number, and email of at least two references who do not work for the employee's current company.

Each résumé shall be accompanied by a SIGNED letter of commitment from each candidate indicating his/her:

1. Availability to serve in the stated position, in terms of days after award;

2. Intention to serve for a stated term of the service; and

3. Agreement to the compensation levels which corresponds to the levels set forth in the cost proposal.

Note: USAID neither requests nor desires exclusivity agreements between contractors and proposed personnel.”

8. Section L.7.2, page 91, DELETE the “Key Personnel” subsection from “Direct labor salary and wages” in its entirety.

[End of Amendment 01]

Questions and Answers

1. The proposal is most often referred to as Eliminating Tuberculosis in Central Asia (ETICA), but it is also referred to as USAID Expanding Tuberculosis Identification, Treatment, and Prevention in Central Asia (TB-CA) Activity. Can USAID clarify the name of the proposal?

Answer: As part of Amendment 1, Sections B.1 (page 6) and D.4 (page 11) is revised to say Eliminating Tuberculosis in Central Asia (ETICA). In addition, any reference to “USAID Expanding Tuberculosis Identification, Treatment, and Prevention in Central Asia (TB-CA) Activity” is replaced in the solicitation.

2. Would USAID confirm the name of the activity? The RFP refers to both “Eliminating Tuberculosis in Central Asia (ETICA)” and “Expanding Tuberculosis Identification, Treatment, and Prevention in Central Asia (TB-CA)”

Answer: See response to question 1.

3. Could USAID please confirm that the name of the activity is “USAID Eliminating Tuberculosis in Central Asia (ETICA)” rather than “USAID Expanding Tuberculosis Identification, Treatment, and Prevention in Central Asia (TB-CA),” which is stated in RFP Sections B.1 on page 6 and D.4 on page 11?

Answer: See response to question 1.

4. Reference: F.8 Key Personnel (p.26) The second sentence under section (a) states that “the contractor’s key personnel must provide full-time performance for the term of this contract unless otherwise agreed by the Contracting Officer”. In-line with USAID’s Operating Parameter of Self-Reliance and Sustainability, which is mentioned in the Statement of Objectives, we kindly ask that USAID not require key personnel to serve for the term of the contract so that the contractor can transition to local personnel.

Answer: As part of Amendment 1, Section F.8(a) is revised for clarity.

5. Can USAID please share the most up-to-date FSN scales for Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan?

Answer: As part of Amendment 1, Local Compensation Plans (LCPs) for all Central Asian countries are attached as Attachment J.7.

6. Clause H. 7 Geographic Code provides that the code for procurement of goods and services is 937 and 110. Would USAID consider revising the language regarding the geographic code to 935 for subcontractors to allow procurement of goods and services from developed countries? If not or in the alternative, may bidders propose partner companies with predominant capabilities from developed countries who are outside of the 937 and 110 codes and request waivers if their bid is awarded?

Answer: Offerors may propose subcontractor/s outside of Geographic Codes 937 and 110, subject to the limitations set forth in H.7 and in accordance with required procedures under an applicable waiver.

7. Reference: Attachment J.2.2, Marking Plan, Table #3, Marking Costs (p. 7) Table 3 requires offero[r]s to list costs associated with marked contract deliverables.

These costs are being included in the activity budget/business volume. Can USAID please confirm that Table 3 should not be included in Annex 3, Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan?

Answer: Yes, costs do not need to be provided under Annex 3, table 3 of the Branding Implementation Plan and Marking Plan.

8. Can USAID please confirm that the page limit for the Technical Proposal is 25, as referenced on page 85?

Answer: As part of Amendment 1, section L.6(a), Page limitations, page 86, is revised to say 25-page.

9. Can USAID confirm if the limit for the technical proposal volume is 25 pages or 30 pages?

Answer: See response to question 8.

10. Would USAID confirm the number of pages for the technical proposal? Page 85 refers to both a 25 and a 30-page limit.

Answer: See response to question 8.

11. Reference: L.6 Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposal (a) Page limitations (p. 85) The first sentence under “Page limitations” states “The written Technical Proposal is limited to 25 pages of which up to 20 pages is the Technical Approach excluding annexes. However, elsewhere under this heading, the RFP refers to a 30-page limit:

“Note: Any page in the technical proposal, which contains a table, chart, graph, etc., not otherwise excluded below, is subject to the 30-page limitation. Any pages exceeding the 30-page limit will not be evaluated….Not included in the 30-page limitation are the following:”

Answer: See response to question 8.

12. We note that L.6(a) on page 85 states both that “The written Technical Proposal is limited to 25 pages” and “Any page in the technical proposal, which contains a table, chart, graph, etc., not otherwise excluded below, is subject to the 30-page limitation.” Could USAID please confirm that the page limitation for the written Technical Proposal is 30 pages?

Answer: See response to question 8.

13. Can the Offeror adjust the page limits of individual sections within the Technical Proposal as long as it adheres to the overall 25-page limit for the technical proposal?

Answer: See response to question 8.

14. Reference: L.6 Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposal (b) Content and Organization of the Technical Proposal, Technical Proposal (p.85) The instructions in this section suggest that the third section of the technical proposal is “Contractor Past Performance Information”. Can USAID please clarify the difference between this requirement and Annex 4: Contractor Past Performance Information (PPIs)?

Will USAID allow for a past performance narrative to be included in section 3 of the technical proposal as well as an Annex including the requested PPIs?

Answer: Past Performance Information is only required under Annex 4.

As part of Amendment 1, Section L.6(b), Technical Proposal, page 85, has been revised.

Number 3, Contractor Past Performance Information is deleted. In addition, L.6(c)3, Contractor Past Performance Information is DELETED in entirety and ADDED to Annex 4: Past Performance Information.

15. RFP Section L.6(b) on page 85 states that Contractor Past Performance Information should be included in the Technical Proposal, while page 86 states that it should be included in Annex 4. Could USAID please confirm that Contractor Past Performance Information should only be included in Annex 4?

Answer: See response to question 14.

16. Can USAID please confirm that the description of quality awards or certifications (3.iii on page 88) should be included in Annex 4, in addition to the Offeror’s Past Performance Information sheets (J.5 attachment)?

Answer: See response to question 14.

17. Can USAID please confirm that the Offeror should include a narrative statement to describe the Contractor Past Performance (section 3 of the Technical Proposal) in addition to the small business narrative (3.iv on page 88-89)?

Answer: See response to question 14.

18. Reference: L.6 Instructions for the Preparation of the Technical Proposal (c) Technical Proposal section Content (p. 86) The instructions in this section include the following requirement: “The Offeror must use the SOO, together with other applicable portions of the RFP, as the basis for preparing the proposal, including the work breakdown structure, performance work statement, and QASP.” However, the RFP does not refer to a work breakdown structure elsewhere. Can USAID kindly clarify what is meant by work breakdown structure?

Answer: This language is deleted as part of Amendment 1. See Amendment for revised language.

19. Would USAID provide guidance on what compliance documents must be included as part of the Performance Work Statement (page 86)?

Answer: The PWS requirements are outlined under Section L.6(c)1.

20. RFP Section L.6.(c)3 on pages 88 and 89 requests that all offerors who are not small business concerns provide a narrative summary of their firm’s use of small business concerns, and that this section is not applicable to small businesses. To ensure that both large and small business offerors have the same number of pages to present their technical approaches, would USAID kindly confirm that offerors can include past performance in using small business concerns in Annex 4, which is excluded from page limitations?

Answer: See response to question 14.

21. Reference: L.7.2 Proposed Cost/Price, Direct labor salary and wages (page 90) Under Direct labor salaries and wages, the RFP instructs the offeror to provide a “detailed Level of Effort (LOE) estimate with a separate line item for each proposed individual identifying each individual by name”. Will USAID allow the offeror to list the position/labor category and not name the individual?

Answer: Yes, position/labor category is acceptable if the individual has not been identified.

22. Page 91 of the RFP indicates resumes should be included in the Cost Proposal for all key personnel. Could the Offeror additionally submit resumes as part of the technical proposal in an annex?

Answer: As part of Amendment 1, Section L.7.2, page 71, Key Personnel, is deleted and added to L.6(d), page 89, as Annex 5.

23. Would USAID confirm if key personnel CVs, letters of commitment, and references should be included as part of the cost proposal as stated on Page 91? Key personnel are only included as part of the Technical Evaluation Criteria and not the Cost Proposal Evaluation (pages 97-99).

Answer: Please see response to question 22.

24. Could USAID please clarify whether offerors should present key personnel resumes in the cost proposal, as is indicated in RFP Section L.7.2 on page 91, rather than as an annex to the technical proposal?

25. Reference: L.7 Instructions for the Preparation of the Cost Proposal, Key Personnel (p.

91) Under L.7.2, Proposed Cost/Price, the RFP includes instructions about the resumes of key personnel, including the following: “In addition, for each key personnel listed, please include the resume and biodata (SF-1420) for the individual. Each resume must be limited to 3 pages and include 3 references.” Can USAID please allow offerors to submit key personnel resumes, references, and letters of commitment as an Annex to the Technical proposal instead of including them in the cost proposal?

26. Are employee biographical data sheets, Form AID 1420-17, required for home office staff providing administrative and technical backstopping support (pages 90-91)?

Answer: Yes, refer to section L.7.2, Direct labor salary and wages. Form AID 1420-17 is required for all proposed personnel.

27. Can USAID please provide details on the expected geographic scope for each country?

Answer: The expected geographic scope for each country will be determined after award, in consultation between USAID and Ministry of Health/National TB Program in respective countries in the region.

28. Under Objective 2, one of the Expected Results states that “Increase the percentage of detected DR-TB cases (all forms) initiated on appropriate treatment by 90% or more each year in comparison with the baseline starting from Year 1.” Can USAID confirm if the expectation is that the project will increase this indicator by 90% per year?

Answer: This indicator is expected to measure the progress made in treatment coverage for DR-TB cases detected. As part of Amendment 1, the language is revised as follows, “out of all detected DR-TB cases, 90% or more are receiving appropriate treatment.”

29. Reference: F.6.2 Performance Monitoring, Evaluation (p.17), And Learning and F.7 Deliverables, delivery schedule and fixed fee payment schedule, F.7.1 Schedule (p.23) The instructions in F.6.2 indicate that “Within 60 calendar days of award the MEL plan and its annexes, if applicable, must be submitted to the COR for approval. No major implementations of activities and data collection are authorized prior to this”. The Fee

Schedule table in F.7.1 lists Year 1, 1st Quarter deliverables for 90% DR-TB cases diagnosed and enrolled, both with a delivery schedule of “Within 30 calendar days after the end of USG fiscal quarter”. Assuming the project starts June 28th (per the USAID forecast), the implementing partner would need to submit the MEL Plan on August 28th, and would need to reach the “90% DR-TB cases diagnosed and enrolled” target and submit the deliverable on October 30th. This only gives the contractor two months to finalize the MEL plan and begin activities which is not sufficient time to achieve these targets. Will USAID please consider pushing back the due date of the Year 1, Q1 deliverables to November 30th

Answer: The Fee Schedule table in F.7.1, Year 1, 1st and 2nd Quarter deliverables for 90% DR-TB cases diagnosed and enrolled, with a delivery schedule of “Within 30 calendar days after the end of USG fiscal quarter” is deleted as part of Amendment 1.