Sol_72011519R00005_CASA_Secretariat_RFP_Questions_and_Answers.pdf

Solicitation No. 72011519R00005 USAID’s CASA-1000 Secretariat Project Questions and Answers

1. Please confirm that the contract’s period of performance is 4.5 years (54 months).

USAID Response: The contract’s period of performance is from January 2, 2020 through June 28, 2024. This represents approximately 4.5 years (approximately 54 months).

2. Please confirm that a “major subcontractor” is defined as a subcontractor that is expected to perform a prominent part of the technical effort.

USAID Response: Major subcontractor is defined as a subcontractor that is expected to perform a prominent part of the technical effort. For the purpose of this RFP, major subcontractor is defined as one whose proposed cost exceeds 25% of the Offeror’s total proposed cost. The RFP has been modified to reflect this change.

3. Please clarify if the following Cost Proposal sections are required for all subcontractors (including local subcontractors) or only for major subcontractors (defined as those expected to perform a prominent part of the technical effort):

● Section L.7.4: Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offers;

● Section L.7.6: Information Concerning Work-Day, Work-Week, and Paid Absences; and

● Section L.7.8: Evidence of Responsibility

USAID Response: Only major subcontractors are required to submit the information requested in Sections L.7.4, L.7.6 and L.7.8. The RFP has been modified to reflect this change.

4. Page 6, Section B.2, states “For the consideration set forth below, the contractor must provide the deliverables or outputs described in Sections C and F in accordance with the performance standards specified in Sections C and F.” Please confirm that “outputs” here includes the Reports and Deliverables outlined in Section F.6. Also, please clarify which Section C outputs are referred to here.

USAID Response: Outputs includes Reports and Deliverables outlined in Section F.6. Outputs also includes the items listed in Section C.4 Outcomes.

5. Page 39, Section H.3, e) 6) refers to an Option Year in the following sentence: “Upon the Option Year being exercised, the contractor must confirm in writing, the security payroll percentage as of the measurement date of the preceding period of performance to the CO.” There is no other reference to an Option Year elsewhere in the proposal. Please clarify.

USAID Response: There are no option years included in the CASA-1000 Secretariat Project RFP.

The reference to an Option Year in Section H.3(e)(6) refers to the option years of USAID’s contract for DBA insurance. See USAID AAPD 17-01.

6. Page 21, Section F.6.1 and Page 82, Section L.7.2 refer to a “PWS” and a “Performance Work Statement.” Please confirm that these terms refer to the Statement of Work (SOW) provided in Section C of the RFP.

USAID Response: USAID confirms that the terms PWS and Performance Work Statement refer to the Statement of Work (SOW) provided in Section C of the RFP. The RFP has been amended to change the references from PWS to SOW.

7. USAID makes reference to major subcontractors on several occasions but does not provide a definition. Please confirm that the definition of a major subcontract one expected to perform at least 20% or a prominent part of the technical effort.

USAID Response: For the purpose of this RFP, major subcontractor is defined as one whose proposed cost exceeds 25% of the Offeror’s total proposed cost.

8. In M.2.3, USAID states it will evaluate performance information obtained from sources other than the sources identified by the Offeror/subcontractor implying that subcontractor past performance can be submitted in response to L.6.2, please confirm that past performance of major subcontractors can be submitted among the five projects for past performance.

USAID Response: USAID confirms that major subcontractor past performance can be submitted among the five projects for past performance.

9. Please confirm that there is no prohibition in issuing a firmed-fixed price subcontract under the CPFF prime award.

USAID Response: USAID confirms that there is no prohibition on issuing a firm-fixed price subcontract under the CPFF prime award.

10. In section B.3a, estimated price to perform is marked as TBD – please confirm these figures will conform to the $15-18MM price estimate on the cover letter.

USAID Response: USAID confirms that the TBD amount in Section B.3(a) will conform to the $15-18 million estimated price range from the cover letter. The final amounts will depend on the cost proposal of the successful Offeror.

11. In Section B.3b, estimated ODCs are marked as TBD – will the Government provide an estimated or plug figure for ODCs?

USAID Response: No, USAID will not provide a plug figure for ODCs in this case.

12. In Section B.6, the Government refers to local compensation requirements – will the Government provide the local compensation schedules for the 4 CASA countries and Kyrgyz Republic?

USAID Response: Prevailing compensation rates for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan were added as an attachment in Section J. Offerors will need to rely on their own market research for prevailing compensation in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

13. In Section F.6.5, please confirm the reference at the end of the section is to F.6.4.

USAID Response: USAID confirms that the reference at the end of Section F.6.5 should be to F.6.4. The RFP has been modified to reflect this change.

14. In Section H.3, DBA rate schedule is out of date. Please confirm that Offerors should use current DBA rates instead.

USAID Response: USAID confirms that bidders should use current DBA rates listed in AAPD 17- 01 Revised March 11, 2019. The RFP has been amended to reflect the rates in this revised AAPD.

15. On page 79, the RFP states that Annexes do NOT count toward the 20-page limit. On page 81, the RFP states that Annexes DO count toward the 20-page limit. Please clarify.

USAID Response: Annexes do not count against the 20-page limitation for the Technical Proposal.

The RFP has been amended to reflect this change.

16. In Section L.8 Coordination with Energy Links- please confirm the current office arrangements for the Country Coordinators? Is the Offeror expected to budget for the office space for Country Coordinators or is there current in-kind contributions from the respective CASA-1000 countries regarding office space?

USAID Response: It is not anticipated that the CASA countries will provide office space for the country coordinators. It is up to Offerors to decide on the appropriate level of office needs for the country coordinators.

17. Please confirm whether there are restrictions regarding exclusivity arrangements for local/regional staff and local partners.

USAID Response: USAID neither requests nor desires exclusivity arrangements for local/regional staff and/or local partners.

18. SF-33 Page 1, Block 12: Block 12 states that the bid “validity period” is 120 days, however Section L.4(g) states that Offerors must provide a minimum validity period of 180 days. Please clarify which period is preferred.

USAID Response: USAID’s preferred bid validity for this RFP is 180 days. Block 12 of the RFP has been amended to reflect this change.

19. Section F.2, Page 20: Section F.2 states that the Period of Performance is January 2, 2020 through June 28, 2024, a period of approximately 4.5 years. However, Section L.2 states that the award will be for 5 years. Section L.7.2 further states that the detailed budget should be for a period of 9 months in Year 1 and 9 months in Year 5. Please clarify the period of performance which Offerors should plan/budget against.

USAID Response: The contract’s Period of Performance is January 2, 2020 through June 28, 2024, a period of approximately 4.5 years (approximately 54 months). Section L.2 of the RFP has been amended to reflect a 4.5 year Period of Performance.

20. Section F.6.7, Page 26: Section F.6.7 states that the Contractor must submit quarterly financial summaries for the Contractor and each major subcontractor. Could USAID please provide guidance as to what is determinant as to whether or not a subcontractor is considered “major”?

USAID Response: For the purpose of this RFP, major subcontractor is defined as one whose proposed cost exceeds 25% of the Offeror’s total proposed cost.

21. Section F.6.8, Page 26: Section F.6.8 states that the Contractor must submit accrual reports with 4 elements – of these, only one element (d), must be reported segregated by country. Could USAID please clarify whether or not funds obligated will be segregated by country and whether or not there are any other financial tracking/reporting requirements by country? If not, could USAID please consider revising Section F.6.8 to remove the “country” specification from element (d) therein?

USAID Response: USAID anticipates that funding for this contract will be Central Asia regional funds, in which case there will not be a need to report unexpended funds by country. However, in the event that bilateral funds are added in the future it will be necessary to report unexpended funds by country.

22. Section H.4., Page 39: Section H.4 deals with the reporting of foreign taxes. Could USAID please advise as to whether or not the Contractor will be provided with exemption letters for VAT, Sales Tax, and/ or any other relevant taxes in the country(ies) of operation where work will be performed? If not, will it be acceptable for Offerors to provide pricing which is inclusive of VAT, Sales Tax, and/or any other relevant taxes in the country(ies) of operation?

USAID Response: USAID has bilateral agreements in place in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan that exempt foreign assistance from VAT and similar taxes (the Kyrgyz Republic currently does not have an agreement in place). In practice, obtaining exemption from VAT and similar taxes is very challenging throughout the region.

For the purposes of budgeting and to be consistent with FAR Clause 52.229-8 “Taxes- Foreign Cost- Reimbursement Contracts. (MAR 1990),” Offerors must not include costs for VAT or other similar taxes in their cost proposal.

23. Section I.1, Page 52: Section I.1 does not include FAR Clause 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, however the solicitation appears to meet the requirements for inclusion found at FAR 19.508(e) – could USAID please clarify whether or not there is a limit on the % of labor subcontracted to other than small businesses?

USAID Response: FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting has been added in Section I pursuant to the prescription in FAR 19.508(e).

24. Section I.1, Page 52: Section I.1 includes FAR clause 52.219-16 – Liquidated Damages – Subcontracting Plan, however there does not appear to be a requirement for inclusion of a subcontracting plan for this RFP, as this solicitation is a total small business set-aside. Would USAID please consider removing this clause?

USAID Response: The RFP has been amended to remove FAR 52.219-16 as this solicitation does not contain the clause 52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

25. Section I.11, Page 57: Section I.11 deals with the reporting of Government property, including property transferred from others. Could USAID please advise if there will be any NXP transferred to the Contractor for this project, and if so, could USAID please provide any information with regard to approximate age of such NXP, especially any vehicles? This will help in developing more accurate and consistent budgeting across Offerors.

USAID Response: For the purposes of developing cost estimates, Offerors should assume that no NXP will be transferred to the Contractor for this project. In particular, no vehicles will be transferred.

26. Section K.1, Page 60. Section K.1 includes FAR Clause 52.237-8, Restrictions on Severance Payments to Foreign Nationals. However, pursuant to AIDAR 731.205-6(m) and CIB 96-15, entitled “Blanket Waiver of 31.205-6(g)(3) Cost Allowability Limitations”, it appears that FAR Clause 52.237-9, Waiver of Limitation on Severance Payments to Foreign Nationals should be included in this solicitation. We respectfully request that USAID incorporate this clause in order to allow for the payment of severance to foreign nationals under the contract, in accordance with applicable local labor laws.

USAID Response: FAR 52.237-8 Restrictions on Severance Payments to Foreign Nationals applies to this RFP and the subsequent contract and as such no change has been made to the RFP.

27. Section L.5, Pages 77-78: Under the Delivery Instructions section, can USAID please clarify, whether two separate emails, one for technical proposal and second for cost proposal are to be submitted for electronic submission?

USAID Response: Technical and cost proposals should be submitted in separate emails.

28. Section L.5, Page 78: Under the Delivery Instructions section, USAID states, “Electronic submission of proposals must not exceed 8MB limit”. Can USAID please clarify, whether the 8MB size limit applies to the entire email or to each individual file attached in the email

USAID Response: The 8MB limit applies to individual files.

29. Section L.6.2, Page 80: Section L.6.2. Past Performance states that the Contractor must submit “up to 5” past performance references. Section M.2.3, page 90, states that “USAID may use performance information obtained from sources other than the sources identified by the Offeror/subcontractor.” Could USAID please confirm that the Contractor may submit past performance references of the proposed subcontractor(s) in partial fulfillment of the requirement?

USAID Response: Offerors may include past performance references of major subcontractors.

30. Section L.6.2, Page 80: Under the Past Performance subsection, could USAID consider changing the past performance requirements from “(Completed within the last five years or ongoing for more than two years)” to “(Completed within the last 5 years or are 50% complete)”. This will allow offerors with relevant past performance that is on-going but close to complete to reference those projects if the projects are shorter than 4 years.

USAID Response: The RFP has been amended to change the requirement in Section L.6.2 to read “(completed within the last 5 years or ongoing for more than one year)” in order to allow past performance submission of more recent or shorter term projects.

31. Section L.7.2, Page 82: The solicitation notes that subcontractors may be included as separate tabs in the cost proposal Excel file. If a subcontractor is unable to submit sensitive cost information to the prime contractor, then how should the subcontractor submit sensitive cost information? In addition, would USAID please consider limiting the inclusion of full detailed budgets and supporting documentation to “major” subcontractors?

USAID Response: The cost and pricing proposal must describe all potential subcontracting arrangements. Information sufficient to determine the reasonableness of the cost of each specific subcontract expected to be hired must be submitted. Proposed subcontractors may submit sensitive cost information directly to USAID/Central Asia separately from the prime Offeror. Any submission by a proposed subcontractor must be in compliance with the terms of the RFP, including the deadline for submission, and cost element breakdowns must include the same budget items as the prime as applicable.

32. Section L.7.1, Page 82: Should subcontractors also submit a budget narrative? If so, then should they also provide “supporting information such as historical biodata forms used, Defense Contract Agency (DCAA) forward pricing agreements, other federal Contract rates, market research support, and payroll records” to justify rates for each cost category? We respectfully request that USAID limit the provision of narratives and full supporting documentation to “major” subcontractors.

USAID Response: Subcontractors are not required to submit separate budget narratives and full supporting documentation. However, cost proposals need to provide sufficient information to determine the reasonableness of all costs, including subcontractor costs. Offerors may address subcontractor costs as part of their budget narratives or proposed subcontractors may submit separate budget narratives.

33. Section L.7.1, Page 83: Please clarify the sentence: “Costs of long-term and short-term personnel must be broken down by person years, months, days or hours”. Should the contractor demonstrate the costs of STTA/LTTA personnel by person years, months, days OR hours; or should costs be broken down by person years, months, days AND hours?

USAID Response: Costs of long-term and short-term personnel must be broken down by person years, months, days or hours. Most commonly the costs of STTA/LTTA are broken down by person days.

34. Section L.7.2, Page 83, item 4. Consultants: This section provides the requirements for the budgeting and narrative pertaining to consultant labor costs. However, Section L.7.2(7), Subcontracts, page 84 references FAR Part 44.101, Subcontracts and its requirements for obtaining consent to subcontract – and goes on to state that “Similar information must be provided for all consultants provided under the category for personnel. Cost element breakdowns must include the same budget items as the prime as applicable.” Please clarify if the Contractor will be required to request consent for all consultants on the same basis as that applied to Subcontracts pursuant to FAR Part 44.202-2 and 52.244-2, (further referenced at Section L.7.9), as this would appear to contradict the intent of Section L.7.2(4).

USAID Response: For the purpose of this RFP, Offerors are not required to request consent for consultants on the same basis as that applied to subcontracts pursuant to FAR Part 44.202-2 and 52.244-2 when the consultants meet the definition found in AIDAR 752.202-l(e). The RFP has been amended to remove the reference to consultants from Section L.7.2(7). Offerors should propose consultant costs in accordance with Section L.7.2(4).

35. Section L.7.5, Page 86: If a subcontractor does not have prior USG Federal contracting experience should they “submit a copy of its personnel policies, especially regarding salary and wage scales, fringe benefits, merit increases, promotions, leave, differentials, travel and per diem regulations, etc.” as a component of the cost proposal? If so, we respectfully request that USAID limit this requirement to “major” subcontractors.

USAID Response: Section L.7.5 of the RFP has been amended to require policies and procedures only from the Offeror and/or proposed major subcontractors that do not have prior USG experience.

36. Section M.2, Page 89: Under the Technical Evaluation Factors, can USAID please confirm, that Factor 1 is Key Personnel and Staffing Plan, Factor 2 is Technical and Management Approach and Factor 3 is Past Performance. The RFP has been amended to clarify the factors.

USAID Response: USAID confirms that Factor 1 is Key Personnel and Staffing Plan, Factor 2 is Technical and Management Approach, and Factor 3 is Past Performance.

37. Pursuant to AIDAR 722.170, Employment (emphasis added) of Third Country Nationals (TCNs) and Cooperating Country Nationals (CCNs) – can USAID please confirm that the Contractor will be required to use the relevant local compensation plans (LCPs) when establishing the salaries for TCN and CCN employees unless a waiver is approved? If so, could USAID please provide Offerors with the LCPs for the CASA countries in order to facilitate consistent and compliant budgeting?

USAID Response: Prevailing compensation rates for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan were added as an attachment in Section J. Offerors will need to rely on their own market research for prevailing compensation in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

38. Can USAID further confirm that pursuant to AIDAR 722.170, the use of the LCP for establishing limitations on compensation of CCNs and TCNs does not apply to the rates paid to consultants (non-employees)?

USAID Response: For the purposes of this solicitation and the resulting contract, the requirements of AIDAR 722.170 do not apply to consultants of USAID contractors or their subcontractors when the consultants meet the definition found in AIDAR 752.202-l(e).

39. Section M.2.3, page 90 Past Performance, indicates that “In cases where:

a. The Offeror lacks relevant performance history;

b. Information on past performance history is not available; or

c. The Offeror is a member of a class of offerors where there is a provision not to rate the class against a sub-factor.

USAID will not evaluate an Offeror’s performance favorably or unfavorably.”

1. For (a), please explain how the determination on the lack of relevant performance history will be made.

2. For (b), please explain what is meant by “not available” in that sentence.

USAID Response: USAID will utilize information from the references provided in Section L of this RFP, existing databases of contractor performance information, and from other sources if the Contracting Officer finds the existing databases insufficient for evaluating an Offeror’s performance.

The Contracting Officer will determine whether information on the Offeror’s past performance is relevant and available after a review of these sources of information.

40. Section M.2.3, page 90 Past Performance, states “The Contracting Officer may take into account a broad range of information related to an Offeror’s past performance prior to assigning a ‘neutral’ past performance rating.” How will the proposal from an offeror with a neutral past performance rating be evaluated overall, and compared to other proposals, considering that the evaluation will be qualitative (i.e., no scores will be allocated to individual evaluation factors).

USAID Response: In accordance with FAR 15.305(a)(2)(iv), in the case of an offeror without a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available, the Offeror will not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance. In such cases, Offerors with Neutral ratings for past performance will be evaluated on Factors 1 and 2.

41. Section L.6.1, page 79 provides a listing of all Technical Proposal sections and annexes. Please confirm that this list is complete and that no other sections or annexes are required.

USAID Response: USAID Confirms that the list in Section L.6.1 is complete.

42. Section L.6.2, page 80: Key Personnel and Staffing Plan, states “The Offeror must clearly describe the roles and responsibilities of proposed positions, the qualifications needed for the positions, proposed candidates, the chain of command among staff, and the location of positions (e.g.

home office vs. field; if in field, in which city and country).”

a) Please confirm that offerors need not propose candidates for each proposed position.

USAID Response: Offerors must propose candidates to fill the key personnel positions. Offerors should propose/identify candidates for technical and STTA positions to the extent possible.

b) Please confirm that offerors need only propose one candidate for each of the proposed positions for which the offerors are naming candidates.

USAID Response: Offerors must only nominate one candidate for each proposed position for which the Offeror is naming candidates.

43. Section L.6.2, page 80 Past Performance, please confirm that offerors may provide past performance references for both the prime and major subcontractors (if any), defined as those subcontractors that are expected to perform a prominent part of the technical effort.

USAID Response: Offerors may include past performance references for both the prime and major subcontractors.

44. Section L.6.2, page 80 Past Performance, states that “Past performance references will initially be reviewed to determine those that are relevant.” Please elaborate on how this review process will take place and how USAID will determine relevance.

USAID Response: USAID will review past performance references with similar services. The Contracting Officer will determine if past performance references are relevant.

45. Section L.6.1, page 79 indicates that the technical proposal may not exceed 20 pages and indicates page limits for each section. Would USAID consider allowing Offerors to use the 20 page limit as appropriate, without limitation by section?

USAID Response: Offerors may not exceed the page limits listed per section.

46. Section L.6.2, page 81 Technical Proposal Annexes states “The Annexes do count toward the overall 20-page limitation for the Technical Proposal.” Please clarify if this is an error and if annexes do not count toward the overall 20-page limitation for the Technical Proposal.

USAID Response: Annexes do not count against the 20-page limitation for the Technical Proposal.

The RFP has been amended to reflect this change.

47. Section L.6.2, page 81 Annex C – Staffing Qualifications, can offerors include a staffing matrix under this Annex that summarizes personnel qualifications, in lieu of a 1-2 page CV per individual?

USAID Response: For technical positions and STTA with identified candidates, a brief summary of qualifications, e.g. a 1-2 page CV, must be included The RFP has been amended to indicate that Offerors may also include a staffing matrix under this Annex that summarizes personnel qualifications of technical and STTA positions.

48. Section L.6.2, page 81 Annex D - Past Performance Information, please clarify if each of the Past Performance Information (PPI) forms (Attachment J.4) to be provided is limited to a particular number of pages (e.g., 3 pages) or if Annex D as a whole is limited to a set number of pages (e.g., 15 pages).

USAID Response: The RFP has been amended to remove the Past Performance Information (PPI) form in Attachment J.4. The PPI form that was attached is relevant for assistance (grants and cooperative agreements) and was mistakenly attached to this RFP. Offerors do not need to use the PPI forms. The specific past performance information required in Annex D is listed in L.6.2 under

Past Performance on page 80. USAID did not include a page limit on Past Performance Information, but Offerors are encouraged to be brief.

49. Section L.6.2, page 81 Annex D - Past Performance Information, please confirm that offerors should provide only Past Performance Information (PPI) forms under this Annex, and that no other past performance information, forms or exhibits are required.

USAID Response: The RFP has been amended to remove the Past Performance Information (PPI) form in Attachment J.4. The PPI form that was attached is relevant for assistance (grants and cooperative agreements) and was mistakenly attached to this RFP. Offerors do not need to use the PPI forms. The specific past performance information required in Annex D is listed in L.6.2 under Past Performance on page 80. USAID did not include a page limit on Past Performance Information, but Offerors are encouraged to be brief.

50. Section C.2, Page10: As stated in the Major CASA-1000 Milestones table, that Design and establishment of the independent operator of HVDC system operator upon completion of instruction will launch in 2018. Could USAID please respond to the following questions related to the independent HVDC system operator:

a) Does USAID anticipate the independent HVDC operator procurement process to initiate under the on-going Energy Links project?

USAID Response: Yes, the Energy Links project is currently finalizing the hiring of a consultant company for the development of the DC operator strategy.

b) If answer to a) is yes, could USAID provide any existing documentation related to the independent HVDC system operator procurement?

USAID Response: Documentation on the HVDC operator is shown on the CASA-1000 website: https://www.casa- 1000.org/Docs/DC%20Operator%20Strategy%20EOI%2020.06.20.pdf

51. Section C.2, Page 11: Can USAID please share the full list of contractors (EPC, owners engineers, O&M contractors, etc.) and their finalized scope of work or description of their services for the CASA-1000 project?

USAID Response: USAID has amended the RFP to include the Terms of Reference (TORs) for the HVAC and HVDC operators as an attachment in Section J. The table below lists the CASA-1000 Procurement Packages with status:

Procurement Packages Status

TW01: Two Convertor Stations in Tajikistan and Pakistan (WB/IDA/DFID funding)

The EPC contracts for the Converter Stations were signed by the national transmission companies of TJ and PK with the successful bidder - JV of ABB Sweden and Cobra Instalaciones and Servicios S.A. Spain.

https://www.casa-1000.org/Docs/DC%20Operator%20Strategy%20EOI%2020.06.20.pdf https://www.casa-1000.org/Docs/DC%20Operator%20Strategy%20EOI%2020.06.20.pdf https://www.casa-1000.org/Docs/DC%20Operator%20Strategy%20EOI%2020.06.20.pdf https://www.casa-1000.org/Docs/DC%20Operator%20Strategy%20EOI%2020.06.20.pdf

TW02: HVDC lines in Pakistan (IsDB funding)

Tender documents for TW02 HVDC lines in Pakistan were prepared for IsDB approval. Contractor Information Sessions in Dubai in July 2018 and in Paris in August 2018 were conducted to increase interest and number of potential bidders for this package.

TW03: HVDC lines in Afghanistan (WB funding)

Three EPC contracts were signed with two Indian companies, KEC and KPTL, in December 2017. Design and line routing activities began in January 2018. Reports for the three- Lot Route Survey were completed by KEC and KPTL in September 2018 and presented to AF DABS for review and approval.

TW04; TW05:

HVDC

transmission lines in Tajikistan, and 125 km of HVAC transmission line in Kyrgyz Republic (IsDB funding)

The EPC contract for TW04 for the Tajik portion of the HVDC line between Barki Tojik (BT) and Indian company KPTL was signed in May 2018. The EPC contract between Turkish company MITAS and the National Electric Grid Company (NEGC) of Kyrgyz Republic was signed in September 2018.

TW06: HVAC transmission lines in Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan and re-enforcement of the grid in Tajikistan (EIB and WB funding)

The contract for the WB/EIB-funded HVAC transmission line procurement package for Tajikistan was signed between BT and KPTL of India in September 2018, at the conclusion of the IGC meeting in Almaty.

Signing of the contract for KR portion is envisioned in November 2018, after incorporating modifications agreed with MITAS in September’s negotiations in Bishkek due to currency (Turkish Lira) volatility in the Contractor’s home country.

HVDC Owner’s Engineer (WB funding)

Representatives of CESI company signed contracts with representatives of Pakistan and Tajikistan national transmission companies in September 2018, at the conclusion of the JWG meeting in Almaty. The signing of the Contract with CESI for HVDC OE Services by Afghanistan national transmission company DABS – is scheduled for October 2018.

HVAC Owner’s Engineer (WB funding)

The contract was awarded to Monenco Iran in 2016.

52. Section C.2, Page 11: Can USAID please provide any additional information on the current activities of the working level committees:

a) Legal Committee

b) Finance Committee

c) Technical Committee

d) Operating Committee

USAID Response: The Legal and Financial Committees were active during initial stages of CASA- 1000 and have been inactive for several years. With the new challenges under the construction phase, these committees can become active again if decided by the CASA countries for which they will be providing committee representatives. The Secretariat will provide assistance in organizing video conferences, in person meetings, circulating agendas, and other necessary activities.

The Technical and Operating Committees have not been formed yet. The establishment of the Implementation Subcommittee was formally approved recently but no meetings have been held yet.

53. Section C.2, Page 12: Can USAID provide a key for the color coding in Figure 1?

USAID Response: Yellow is for active/dormant committees, and green is for committees to be formed.

54. Section C.3, Page 13: Under the Technical Advisory section, the stated activities include providing technical (engineering) services, such as devising operational rules and procedures, establishment of HVDC operator, and conducting periodic technical assessments. Can USAID please clarify if the technical (engineering) staff supporting such technical activities is expected to work on-site in the CASA-1000, member countries?

USAID Response: There will be no long-term Secretariat staff working on-site for construction, but ad hoc trips there may be needed. The CASA countries may request the Secretariat to hire short-term specialists for assignments that may require visiting construction sites.

55. Section C.3, page 13 lists the following as part of the Technical Advisory activities: “Provide technical expertise related to establishment of the HVDC Operator, the contractor to operate the system once construction is complete.”

a) Is the contractor expected to provide such expertise directly to the Intergovernmental Council (IGC) or to assist the Secretariat to establish the HVDC Operator, or both?

USAID Response: The Contractor is to provide expert advisory services to the IGC, JWG, and committees on specific technical, legal and commercial matters which would include establishment of the HVDC Operator. For clarification, the Contractor is the Secretariat.

b) Please confirm that costs associated with the functioning and management of the HVDC Operator are not part of the CASA-1000 Secretariat Project’s budget and that offerors are not expected to include them in their Cost Proposal.

USAID Response: USAID confirms that costs associated with the functioning and management of the HVDC Operator are not part of the CASA-1000 Secretariat Project’s budget and offerors are not to be included in the Cost Proposal. The RFP has been amended for the sentence in question to read as follows: “Provide technical expertise related to establishment of the HVDC Operator that will operate the system once construction is complete.”

c) What are the anticipated funding sources for the HVDC Operator? Is the contractor expected to identify and/or establish these funding sources during the life of the project?

USAID Response: CASA countries will be responsible for providing funding for the HVDC Operator. The Contractor if asked by CASA countries is expected to assist with identification of the funding sources but is not responsible for establishing the funding sources during the life of the project.

d) Is the CASA-1000 Secretariat responsible for identifying the funding streams for the HVDC Operator and for supporting its legal establishment?

USAID Response: The Contractor, through the Secretariat, may provide technical consultations and expertise to the CASA countries in identifying funding streams for the HVDC Operator, and provide legal consultations to the Legal Committee under the IGC for establishment of HVDC Operator, if requested by the CASA countries.

56. Section C.3, page 13 Technical Advisory section states that the offeror will provide technical advisory services, expertise and assistance. Please clarify that the successful offeror will not be taking on risk or liability for the decisions the countries or the Secretariat make based on these services, expertise and assistance.

USAID Response: The Contractor serves as intermediary to provide technical advisory services, expertise and assistance to the CASA countries for them to make informed decisions but will have no risk or liability for the decisions made by the countries. The Contractor’s risk and liability will be limited to performance evaluations based on the technical advisory services, expertise and assistance provided.

57. Section C.3, Page 14-15: In regard to the Document management subsection, can USAID please respond to the following questions:

a) Has the electronic document management been implemented or under implementation, under the Energy Links project?

USAID Response: Yes

b) If answer to a) is yes, will all stakeholders receive training on the system before the Energy Links project is completed?

USAID Response: The CASA-1000 Document Management System has been put in place by the Energy Links project, and representatives of CASA countries have been trained to use it.

c) If answer to a) is yes, can USAID provide information regarding the functions currently served by implemented electronic document management system for the CASA 100 project?

USAID Response: The CASA-1000 Document Management System provides stakeholders a centrally designed and maintained web-based system where they can quickly find electronic copies of documents, search for the needed information in these documents, identify information gaps and track the progress on different components of the CASA-1000 process.

d) If answer to a) is yes, can USAID share documentation, which provide details regarding the implemented electronic document management system?

USAID Response: USAID is not able to share this documentation at this time. Once the CASA-1000 Secretariat Project is launched, there will be a transition period between Energy Links and the CASA-1000 Secretariat Project during which time the selected Contractor will receive detailed information on the workings of the system.

58. Section C.4, page 15 states the following as one of the project’s Outcomes: “Resolution of construction-related disputes is facilitated to conclusion.” Please clarify if the CASA-1000 Secretariat is anticipated to have a dispute resolution mandate related to facilitating construction-related disputes to conclusion.

USAID Response: While the Contractor will assist with resolution of construction-related disputes, the Contractor will not be responsible for dispute resolution as it is not party to the construction contracts.

59. Section D, page 16 Packaging and Marking, given the unique nature of the CASA-1000 project and the diversity of concerned stakeholders, please provide any additional information that may be useful for offerors to consider with regard to the desired strategy for co-branding and co-marking.

USAID Response: The current Secretariat uses a logo created for CASA-1000 that has not been formally cleared by USAID or CASA countries, but has become widely recognizable through years of practice. It is expected that the use of this logo will be continued. There will otherwise be no other deviations to the Branding Strategy listed.

60. Section F.8, Page 28: The Key Personnel section states that the contract will have 2 Key Personnel positions: Executive Director/COP, and Deputy Executive Director/Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP). Could USAID please clarify, other than USAID whether both positions or any of the two positions require approval from the working committees and member countries: Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan?

USAID Response: The only position requiring approval beyond USAID is the Executive Director/COP. The Contractor will propose a candidate for the Executive Director/COP, who may start work as Acting Executive Director with USAID approval. The selected candidate will then require approval by the CASA countries (normally in an IGC meeting). If the Executive Director/COP is not approved by the CASA countries, the Contractor will need to propose an acceptable replacement.

61. Section F.8, Page 28: In the current Energy Links project, the project team has Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party roles. Section F.8, Key Personnel states the following as 2 Key Personnel positions: Executive Director/Chief of Party (COP) and Deputy Executive Director/Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP). Can USAID confirm, whether or not the above mentioned 4 roles in the current Energy Links project are consolidated to 2 roles, ED/COP and Deputy ED/DCOP for the CASA-1000 Secretariat Project?

USAID Response: Section F.8 clearly states the titles and roles of the two Key Personnel positions.

a) Does USAID envision the Secretariat will establish field offices in each of the CASA- 1000 member countries?

USAID Response: No field offices are required but the Secretariat should have one country representative in each of the four CASA countries.

b) Can USAID provide the Energy Links FY2019 Q1 report, including the latest activities of the current program and Secretariat?

USAID Response: The RFP has been amended to include the Energy Links FY2019 Q1 Report as an attachment in Section J.

62. In order to ensure that bidders provide accurate pricing, please confirm any required levels of personnel security for project staff in each country.

USAID Response: There are no required levels of personnel security for project staff in each country.