AMENDMENT01_FINAL.pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

1. CONTRACT ID CODE PAGE OF PAGES

1 12

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO.

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

see block 16

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO

REQ-121-19-000020

5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

6. ISSUED BY CODE 7. ADMINISTERED BY (IF OTHER THAN ITEM 6) CODE

USAID/Ukraine Regional Contract Office Department of State 5850 Kyiv Place Washington, DC 20521-5850 see block 6

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., Street, County, State, and Zip Code)

TO ALL OFFERORS

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

SOL-72012119R00001

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM

11) 4/26/2019

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

CODE: FACILITY CODE: 10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered, solicitation is amended as set forth in item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended is not extended.

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 Items 8 and 15, and returning copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers, FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT 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 telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If Required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO., AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14

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

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43,103 (b).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

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

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

The purpose of this Amendment No. 01 is to (1) provide the first part of answers to the questions submitted by potential Offerors regarding Request for Proposal (RFP) No. SOL-72012119R00001, USAID Ukraine Monitoring and Learning Support Contract, (2) post a revised RFP based on the questions received, and (3) extend the closing date for proposal submission. All RFP revisions are highlighted in yellow. USAID will provide answers to the remainder of the questions received in a subsequent amendment to the RFP.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER 16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

Maria Televantos, Contracting Officer

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 15C. DATE

SIGNED

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

__________/S/________________

16C. DATE

SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer) 4/26/2019

NSN 7540-01-152-8070 STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Previous Edition Unusable Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.24

Amendment No. 01 to Request for Proposal (RFP) No. SOL-72012119R00001, USAID Ukraine Monitoring and Learning Support Contract

PART 1. ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS

USAID will provide answers to the remainder of the questions in a subsequent amendment to the

RFP.

1. Can USAID please confirm whether past performance reference forms are included in the

40-page limit for the technical proposal?

Answer: USAID confirms that the “Past Performance Information Matrix” is included in the page limitation.

2. In section L.8.b.6 on page 105 of the RFP, USAID notes that the use of exclusive arrangements for key personnel is discouraged. Does USAID similarly discourage the use of exclusive agreements for local Ukrainian subcontractors?

Answer: Per Section L.9 (e) USAID discourages the use of exclusive agreements with international or regional/local organizations as this limits USAID’s ability to receive the best services.

3. Per section L.7 on page 102 of the RFP, USAID requests technical proposals in a readable font size. Can USAID please clarify the minimum readable font size for text and diagrams?

Answer: A readable font size for text is typically 12-point. A readable font size for diagrams, charts and graphs is typical 10-point.

4. Per section F.7 on page 30 of the RFP, can USAID please confirm whether key personnel titles should read "Senior Performance Monitoring and Learning Specialist" and "Senior CLA and Evaluation Specialist" or "Senior Performance Monitoring and Learning Specialist" (F.7

B., page 31) and "Senior Collaborating, Learning and Adapting Specialist" (F.7 C., page 31)?

Answer: Key personnel titles should read "Senior Performance Monitoring and Learning

Specialist” and "Senior Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) Specialist". The RFP has been corrected in section F.7.

5. The Key Personnel Position has two different names in the RFP. On pg.30, the position is referred to as the Senior CLA and Evaluation Specialist and on p.31 (section F.7 Key

Personnel (C), the position is referred to as Senior Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting

Specialist. Can USAID please clarify the right title and required qualifications and duties accordingly?

Answer: The title of the position should read “Senior Collaborating, Learning and Adapting

Specialist". The RFP has been corrected in section F.7. Please refer to the RFP for information on the required qualifications and titles.

6. In Section F.7, page 30 the RFP says “The following positions have been designated as key personnel and are essential to the work being performed under this contract: Chief of Party, Senior Performance Monitoring and Learning Specialist, and Senior CLA and Evaluation

Specialist.” However, on page 31, Section F.7.B and Section F.7.C refer to the key personnel titles as Senior Performance Monitoring Specialist and Senior Collaborating, Learning and

Adapting Specialist. Please confirm the correct titles for both of these key personnel positions.

Answer: Key personnel titles should read "Senior Performance Monitoring and Learning

Specialist” and "Senior Collaborating, Learning and Adapting Specialist". The RFP has been corrected in section F.7.

7. Per section B.2 on page 7, this is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) completion contract, but in section B.8 b. it is described as “CPAF type contract where the Contractor is authorized to be reimbursed for all costs which are allowable in accordance with FAR 52.216-7, ‘Allowable

Costs and Payment.’” Can USAID please clarify the contract type?

Answer: The Contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) completion. The revised RFP corrects this error.

8. Per section L.9 (f) Part 7 on page 112 of the RFP, can USAID please confirm that the Branding and Marking Plan should be included as part of the cost proposal?

Answer: USAID confirms that the Branding and Marking Plan must be included as part of the cost proposal.

9. Section L.9 (b) Indirect Costs (ii) on page 109 of the RFP may contain a discrepancy.

Paragraph ii states that offerors must provide audited balance sheets and profit and loss statements for the “last three complete years” while paragraph (a) immediately below states that offerors must provide audited balance sheets and profit and loss statements for

“the last two years.” Can USAID please clarify?

Answer: If the Offeror or any major subcontractor does not have a NICRA, audited balance sheets and profit and loss statements for the last three complete years, and the current year-to-date statements (or such lesser period of time if the Offeror is a newly formed organization) must be provided. The RFP has been corrected to remove the discrepancy.

10. RFP, Section L.9 (Part 2) – Biographical data sheets (Form AID 1420-17) must be provided for all proposed key personnel. Regarding consultants, short-term and long-term professional positions, please clarify if biographical data sheets are only required for the named personnel?

Answer: Biographical Data Sheets must be submitted for all named professional personnel and consultants in PDF format, duly signed by both the employee and the contractor and must be put in alphabetical order. For non-named personnel and consultants the Offerors are required to provide narratives explaining the basis for the estimate for each category of cost in sufficient detail to facilitate determination of cost reasonableness.

11. Per the above question, can the Mission confirm whether or not 1420 biodata forms are required for all STTA, as stated in L.9?

Answer: Biographical Data Sheets must be submitted for all named professional personnel and consultants in PDF format, duly signed by both the employee and the contractor and must be put in alphabetical order. For non-named personnel and consultants the Offerors are required to provide narratives explaining the basis for the estimate for each category of cost in sufficient detail to facilitate determination of cost reasonableness.

12. Part 3 is missing, will USAID re-number?

Answer: The numbering has been corrected in the revised RFP.

13. In March 2019, an Executive Order was issued which raised the rate of pay of the Executive

Schedule which is now higher than that listed on page 107. Can USAID confirm if the offeror should use the salary cap listed in the RFP or that listed at opm.gov? Likewise, can USAID confirm if the cap for local compensation has changed?

Answer: The Contractor Salary Threshold (CST) has been updated in the revised RFP to

$176,900/year. Salaries for long-term and short term CCN staff must not exceed the threshold specified in the Local Compensation Plan (LCP) in the amount of $65,320/year.

14. Regarding the Salary and Wages section on page 107 of the RFP, would USAID consider using the updated Contractor Salary Threshold (CST) in the amount of $176,900 per OPM Salary

Table No. 2019-SL/ST Rates of Basic Pay for Employees in Senior-Level (SL) and Scientific or

Professional (ST) Positions?

Answer: Per AIDAR 752.7007, the USAID Contractor Salary Threshold (USAID CST) stated in

USAID Automated Directives System (ADS) Chapter 302 USAID Direct Contracting is the threshold in the updated Salary Table No. 2019-ES Rates of Basic Pay for Members of the

Senior Executive Service (SES) in the amount of $176,900.

15. H.22: Insurance and Services B. (Page 48) Obtaining DBA Coverage May the prospective offeror obtain quotes and source DBA Insurance at the required rates through sources other than AON Risk Insurances Services Inc.?

Answer: Per AAPD 17-01 - REVISED Defense Base Act (DBA) Insurance for 2015-2020, issued:

Mar 11, 2019 Contractors must apply for coverage directly to AON Risk Insurance Services

Inc., the agent for AWAC DBA Insurance.

16. The attachments listed on page 84 of section J are not included with the RFP. Please provide them if available.

Answer: ATTACHMENT J.1 LIST OF WEB LINKS AND RESOURCES is provided at the end of the

RFP. The attachment includes links to forms referenced in Section L.

17. Will Small Business prime contractors need a security clearance prior to submitting the proposal, or will USAID sponsor small business bidders that do not have a facility clearance?

Answer: Security clearance is not required.

18. Would USAID please clarify if offerors should use the “Past Performance Matrix” referenced as an “internet resource” on page 117 to satisfy the requirements under L.B.8.(a).1;

L.B.8(a).2; and L.B.8.(b)? Please note that the RFP also mentions a “J.2 Past Performance

Information Sheet” on page 105, however this attachment was not provided. Please provide clarification regarding which template(s) should be used for which information.

Answer: Offerors should use the “Past Performance Matrix” provided as a link in

ATTACHMENT J.1 LIST OF WEBLINKS AND RESOURCES included at the end of the RFP.

19. Per page 105 of the RFP, we must provide in the “Past Performance Information Sheet”

(located in Attachment J.2) up to five of the most recent and relative contracts for the prime and major subcontractors. Would USAID please release this attachment, as it does not to be attached to the original solicitation?

Answer: The “Past Performance Matrix” is provided as a link in ATTACHMENT J.1. The RFP has been revised to remove the reference to Attachment J.2.

20. Would USAID consider excluding the Past Performance information sheets/matrices from the page limit?

Answer: No, the Past Performance Information, which should be provided in the “Past

Performance Matrix,” is included in the 40-page limit.

21. Thank you for providing the long-term and short term CCN staff threshold of $65,320/year. If one is available, would the Mission kindly share the Local Compensation Plan that would allow us to assess the reasonableness of labor rates at lower levels, and current information about allowances and taxes the Mission pays its CCN staff?

Answer: The current Local Compensation Plan maximum for Ukraine is $65,320. Salary levels and allowances proposed should be based on market information and company policy.

22. Regarding the Indirect Costs section on page 109, for subcontractors who consider their

NICRA proprietary information, would USAID consider allowing the subcontractor to submit a sealed envelope directly to USAID as part of this bid, and if awarded, allow the prime contractor to enter into T&M type subcontracts using a fixed labor multiplier?

Answer: Subcontractors may submit NICRAs directly to USAID, but the submission must be made electronically. Offerors must justify the type of subcontract they intend to enter into with their partners in accordance with FAR 44.202-2(a)(9). Additionally, any indirect rates, including multipliers, must be adequately justified in the cost proposal.

23. L.8.b.6. This section requests resumes from three key personnel. Typically, resumes are excluded from the proposal page count. Will the Contracting Officer consider allowing offerors to include the resumes in an annex, limiting each resume to three pages, and excluding the resumes from the 40 page limit?

Answer: The resumes will remain part of the 40-page limit.

24. L.8.b.8 The section references "Past Performance Information Sheet” attached to this RFP

(ATTACHMENT J.2)" However, the attachment is not included in the RFP. Will the

Contracting Officer provide the referenced attachment? Can these reference sheets be excluded from the page count and included in an attachment?

Answer: The “Past Performance Matrix” is provided as a link in ATTACHMENT J.1. The RFP has been revised to remove the reference to Attachment J.2. The “Past Performance Matrix” is included in the 40-page limit.

25. L.8.b.8 The section references "past performance information as requested in Attachment

J.1." However, the attachment is an Excel spreadsheet and it is not clear how USAID wants the file included in the proposal.

Answer: Offerors should convert the Excel document into a PDF and incorporate it into the rest of its Technical Proposal as a single, searchable Technical Proposal PDF file.

26. Can this past performance information be excluded from the page count and included as an attached MS Excel file?

Answer: No, the “Past Performance Matrix” provided as a link in ATTACHMENT J.1 is included in the 40-page limit and must be incorporated in the single searchable technical proposal PDF file.

27. On page 102, USAID instructs that all required documents for the technical proposal must be included within a total of 40 pages. On page 105, the bidders are asked to provide past performance information in a “Past Performance Information Sheet” provided in Excel format (item 11 in Attachment J.1). Could USAID confirm that the bidder is required to complete the “Past Performance Matrix” listed under Attachment J.1 (item 11) and include it within the 40-page document? Might it be acceptable to provide this sheet separately as an

Excel file, for ease of review by USAID?

Answer: The “Past Performance Matrix” provided as a link in ATTACHMENT J.1 is included in the 40-page limit and must be incorporated in the single searchable technical proposal PDF file.

28. L.9 (g) Part 8 Reps and Certs requires offerors and subcontractors to certify that they are registered in SAM and to submit completed Section K. It seems that it is duplicating effort to include completed Section K if an offeror is registered in SAM. Will USAID eliminate the requirement to submit completed Section K if the offeror and subcontractors certify that they are registered in SAM?

Answer: If the Offeror’s Representations and Certifications are up to date in SAM, then the

Offeror may reference this in their proposal. If an Offeror intends on referencing the

Representations and Certifications in SAM, then it is the Offeror’s responsibility to ensure that all the required Representations and Certifications required in Section K of the RFP are up to date in SAM.

29. L.9 (b) Subcontracts. The section requires "Individual subcontractors proposed as part of the offer must include the same cost element break‐downs in their budget as the prime’s, as applicable.

NOTE: Subcontract budgets must include the same level of detail and cost element break‐ downs in their budget as the prime’s, as applicable." This is a significant burden for non-major subcontractors. Request that this requirement be changed to the following: "Major subcontractors proposed as part of the offer must include the same cost element break‐ downs in their budget as the prime’s, as applicable.

NOTE: Major subcontract budgets must include the same level of detail and cost element break‐downs in their budget as the prime’s, as applicable."

Answer: The requirement to submit the same level of detail and cost element break‐downs as the prime’s budget is only required for major subcontract budgets. However, please note the RFP states in Section L.9 that “Information sufficient to determine the reasonableness of the cost of each subcontract must be included.” If non-major subcontractors do not wish to provide the same level of detail as the prime, it is the Offeror’s responsibility to ensure sufficient information is included for USAID to be able to analyze the reasonableness of costs. Insufficient information could lead to delays in the procurement.

30. Page 115 of RFP lists the cases when an offeror’s performance will not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably (Section M.2 TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA, 4. Past

Performance). Could USAID please kindly clarify whether this applies to the offeror only or to the major subcontractors as well?

Answer: As past performance will be evaluated for both the prime and major subcontractors, this applies to both. As a reminder, major subcontractors are defined as those whose proposed cost exceeds 20% of the offeror’s total proposed cost.

31. Could USAID please clarify what happens if an offeror lacking relevant performance history is assigned a "neutral" rating, while major subcontractor is evaluated favorably?

Answer: Past performance will be evaluated as a whole. All information from the prime and major subcontractor’s past performance will be taken into account when evaluating past performance.

32. Page 105 of RFP (L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL, b.8 Past Performance) says: Provide in the “Past Performance Information Sheet” attached to this RFP (ATTACHMENT J.2) with up to five (5) of the most recent and relevant contracts each for the prime and major subcontractor(s). Could USAID please kindly clarify if the newly established offeror with no eligible past performance, but brings past performances of the major subcontractors, will still be considered eligible to be evaluated?

Answer: Yes, past performance for major subcontractors will be evaluated even if the prime does not have relevant past performance information. As a reminder, major subcontractors are defined as those whose proposed cost exceeds 20% of the offeror’s total proposed cost.

33. Page 105 of RFP (L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL, b.8 Past Performance) says: Relevant past performance references are contracts over

$5,000,000 performed in the past three (3) years for the performance of similar types of work and/or similar complexity/diversity of tasks and/or performance in similar contexts.

Could USAID please kindly clarify if the contracts had to be started, ended or started and ended during the past three years? Could USAID please clarify the requirement on the dollar value of the contract? Should the cumulative value of the invoiced amounts during the past three years be greater than or equal to 5 000 000 USD?

Answer: Any contracts that include at least one of the past three years as part of their period of performance qualify. USAID has removed the $5,000,000 past performance threshold.

34. Section L.9 provides the maximum salary according to the Mission’s LCP. In order for offerors’ proposed CCN salaries to be compliant with the Mission’s Local Compensation Plan, can USAID please provide a copy of the Local Compensation Plan?

Answer: The Local Compensation Plan is sensitive but unclassified and cannot be publicly shared. The current Local Compensation Plan maximum for Ukraine is $65,320. Salary levels proposed should be based on market information and company policy.

35. According to Section L.9, 1420 biodata forms must be provided for all consultants as provided under the category for salary and wages. Please confirm that the biographical data forms are only required for named personnel only.

Answer: Biographical Data Sheets must be submitted for all named professional personnel and consultants in PDF format, duly signed by both the employee and the contractor and must be put in alphabetical order. For non-named personnel and consultants the Offerors are required to provide narratives explaining the basis for the estimate for each category of cost in sufficient detail to facilitate determination of cost reasonableness.

36. In Section F.7 Key Personnel, the qualifications for both Specialist positions require a

Master’s Degree as a “minimum” but then state a Bachelor’s Degree plus five additional years may be substituted for the graduate degree. Please confirm a Master’s Degree is

“preferred” and is not a minimum requirement.

Answer: We have revised the language in the amendment to the RFP in order to clarify that a Master’s Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree with an additional five years of relevant experience is required.

37. Section H.7 e) Consultants states, "Any consultant’s daily or hourly compensation shall be negotiated with due regard for prevailing compensation levels for similar consulting services, and shall not exceed the highest rate of compensation received by the consultant during immediately preceding three years. Annual increases are not authorized for consultants." In practice, this would mean that a given consultant's rate could be held stagnant for an extended period and will impact an offeror's ability to attract and retain high-level talent.

Accordingly, would USAID consider allowing for either a starting rate that can exceed the previous three years, or a 5% annual increase in line with the stated policy (H.7.d) for annual salary increases?

Answer: USAID has revised the language in the amended RFP to reflect that rates above these limitations are only authorized if approval is granted by the CO. Offerors are welcome to propose consultant rates they determine to be fair and reasonable so long as the rate is adequately justified in the cost proposal.

38. In order to ensure compliance with AIDAR requirements that contractor CCN staff salaries and benefits should not exceed those paid by the USAID Mission to CCN direct hires performing similar functions, could you please provide a copy of the Local Employee

Compensation Plan?

Answer: The Local Compensation Plan is sensitive but unclassified and cannot be publicly shared. The current Local Compensation Plan maximum for Ukraine is $65,320. Salary levels and benefits proposed should be based on market information and company policy.

39. The RFP in page 107 under the heading “KEY PERSONNEL” in the Salary and Wages section requests that “Offerors must also include letters of commitment signed by each person proposed as key personnel confirming their present intention to serve in the stated position and their present availability to serve the project.” Could USAID confirm that the Letters of

Commitment should be included in the cost proposal?

Answer: USAID confirms.

40. Section C.1 Title of Activity, page 10 – Would USAID kindly confirms that the title of this activity is the Ukraine Monitoring and Learning Support contract?

Answer: USAID confirms.

41. Page 107 of the RFP states “Direct salaries and wages for long-term and short-term expatriate staff as well as home office support staff must not exceed Contractor Salary

Threshold (CST) in the amount of $174,500/year.” Please advise whether Contractor Salary

Threshold (CST) has now changed and gone up to $176,900/year.

Answer: This is correct, and the Contractor Salary Threshold (CST) amount of $176,900/year has been revised in the amended RFP.

42. Section L.9, INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST PROPOSAL; pg. 106 states

“The detailed narrative for the cost proposal must be written in English in Microsoft Word.

Biographical Data Sheets must be submitted in PDF format.” Would USAID accept the biographical data sheets in a separate attachment in the Cost Proposal email submission, or does the Mission require them to be inserted into one document? Is there a size limit for

Cost proposal email attachments?

Answer: Biographical data sheets may be submitted in a separate attachment in the Cost

Proposal email submission. Per section L.6 each email must not exceed 15mb in size.

43. Per section C.1 on page 9 of the RFP, the title of the activity is listed as the “Ukraine

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Contract”; however, the subject line of the solicitation refers to the activity as the “Ukraine Monitoring and Learning Support Contract”. Can USAID please confirm the correct title for the activity?

Answer: The title of the activity is the Ukraine Monitoring and Learning Support Contract.

The RFP has been revised to correct this discrepancy.

44. On page 10 of the RFP it states that “The title of this USAID/Ukraine activity is the Ukraine

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Contract.” Please clarify whether the title of the activity is the “Ukraine Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Contract” or the Ukraine

Monitoring and Learning Support Contract,” as is listed elsewhere in the RFP.

Answer: The title of the activity is the Ukraine Monitoring and Learning Support Contract.

The RFP has been revised to correct this discrepancy.

45. Per section L.8 (b.6) on page 104 of the RFP, will USAID please allow references for key personnel to be included in an annex and not included in the technical proposal page count?

Answer: No, References for key personnel are included in the 40-page limitation. All required aspects of the technical proposal as noted below must be combined into a single, searchable PDF, and the page limitation will be calculated by the total number of pages of the entire PDF.

46. Section L.8, Item b.8) Past Performance, USAID indicates that “Relevant past performance references are contracts over $5,000,000 performed in the past three (3) years…” Will USAID please consider removing the $5,000,000 threshold given this is a small business set aside?

Answer: USAID has removed the $5,000,000 past performance threshold.

47. Considering that this is a small business set aside, will USAID please consider lowering the

Past Performance contract value requirement to $3,000,000?

Answer: USAID has removed the $5,000,000 past performance threshold.

48. As USAID will benefit in its assessment of performance and risk from the disclosure of all relevant projects, would you consider lowering or eliminating the current past performance contract value threshold of $5,000,000?

Answer: USAID has removed the $5,000,000 past performance threshold.

49. Will USAID please clarify whether Key Personnel CVs are to be included within the Key

Personnel section (Item b.6)?

Answer: Yes, resumes for key personnel are to be included within the key personnel section.

50. Will USAID please indicate if the 2014 version of the Local Compensation Plan is the current

LCP? If not, will USAID please share the current version?

Answer: The current Local Compensation Plan maximum for Ukraine is $65,320. The Local

Compensation Plan is sensitive but unclassified and cannot be publicly shared. Salary levels proposed should be based on market information and company policy.

51. Please clarify that the statement “The Offeror must submit a hard copy of the subcontracting plan submitted in eSRS or with the SF-294” does not apply given this procurement is a small business set aside?

Answer: Thank you for identifying this error. We have removed the eSRS requirement from the amended RFP.

52. L.9 (b) Subcontracts. The section requires "The Offeror must submit a hard copy of the subcontracting plan submitted in eSRS or with the SF‐294 if not registered in eSRS (please inform of such)." eSRS is a system for large businesses to report the status of their small business subcontracting plan status. Since this procurement is set aside for U.S. Small

Business entities and small businesses are exempt from submitting small business subcontracting plans, we request that this requirement be deleted from the solicitation.

Answer: Thank you for identifying this error. We have removed the eSRS requirement from the amended RFP.

53. Will USAID please confirm that only a total of five (5), including the prime’s and major subcontractor’s, PPRs are required?

Answer: Offerors are requested to provide in the “Past Performance Matrix,” which is provided as a link in ATTACHMENT J.1, up to five (5) of the most recent and relevant contracts EACH for the prime and major subcontractor(s).

54. Attachment J.2, the Past Performance Information Sheet was not included in the solicitation documents. Will USAID please provide us with attachment J.2?

The link to the “Past Performance Matrix” is provided in ATTACHMENT J.1. The RFP has been revised to correct this discrepancy.

55. Per Section L.9, INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST PROPOSAL, the RFP states that, “Similar information, including the 1420 biodata form, must be provided for all consultants as provided under the category for salary and wages.” can USAID allow offerors to submit an illustrative STTA table/matrix with CVs instead of biodatas?

Answer: The requirement to submit similar information, including the 1420 biodata form remains.